Complete - Connected - Capital: Annual Report and Accounts 2020

Complete • Connected • Capital
#OneMercia
Annual Report and Accounts 2020
Welcome to
The proactive,
regionally focused
specialist asset
manager
In the regions,
from the regions,
to the regions.
Our purpose is to provide growth capital

and tailored investment solutions to
fast-growing regional businesses to
create long-term shareholder value.
Number of portfolio businesses
c.390
Available capital
c.£320m
Images on front cover:
(Left) Peter Dines, Chief Operating Officer.
(Right) Jill Williams, Investment Director, Private Equity.
Strategic report Governance Financial statements
What’s in this report
Contents Responding to
Strategic report
02 Highlights
04 At a glance
market conditions
06 The regional investor As we emerge from one of the ›› See more on
08 Non-executive Chair’s statement most challenging market page 11
12 Our business model conditions on record, Mercia is
14 Our strategy well placed with preserved
16 Chief Executive Officer’s review capability and liquidity to manage
20 Strategy in action the immediate priorities and
22 Key performance indicators sustain its three-year strategic
priorities.
24 Chief Investment Officer's review
30 Our portfolio
38 Stakeholder engagement
40 People, culture and values
44 Responsible business
46 Chief Financial Officer’s review
52 Principal risks and uncertainties
Strategic
Governance
priorities
56 Board of Directors We have strengthened our balance ›› See more on
58 Directors’ report sheet, grown our assets under page 15
59 Statement of Directors’ responsibilities management (“AuM”), taken the
60 Corporate governance report Group to net revenues and readied
65 Remuneration report the business to take full advantage
of the opportunities that will
Financial statements emerge.
69 Independent auditor's report
74 Financial statements and notes
Other information
108 Directors, secretary and advisers
109 Notice of Annual General Meeting
Managing
our risks
People have been our key priority. ›› See more on
We have safeguarded their health page 52
and wellbeing and ensured that a
rigorous response has been put in
place to preserve our assets and
minimise our risk exposure.
Mercia Asset Management PLC

Annual Report and Accounts 2020 01
Highlights
We are on
a rewarding
journey, together
As we emerge from the current
challenging environment,
we are well placed with preserved
capability and liquidity to sustain
our highly selective investment
strategy and the flexibility to
continue to support and
manage our portfolios as
companies mature.
Assets under management (“AuM”)
c.£800m
2019: c.£507m
Funds under management (“FuM”)
c.£658m
2019: c.£381m
02 Mercia Asset Management PLC

Ryan Cawood
CEO, OXGENE.
Jocelyne Bath
COO, OXGENE.
Portfolio developments
›› £17.5million gross invested into 18 portfolio
Net assets
companies during the year including one new direct
£141.5m
2019: £126.1m
investment, One Touch Apps, t/a Clear Review
›› Net fair value decrease of £15.8million – near-term
COVID-19 impact (2019: £3.9million increase)
›› Direct investment portfolio decreased to
Unrestricted cash £87.5million (2019: £87.7million)
£30.2m ›› 12 portfolio companies received new investment Woodall Nicholson

from external investment partners Group
The Group completed its
2019: £29.8m ›› Notwithstanding COVID-19 impact, continuing highest value PE fund
underlying commercial progress made by a number exit so far, having sold a
Revenue of portfolio companies including nDreams, which stake in Woodall
£12.7m
continues to be the Group’s largest direct investment Nicholson Group
Limited at a multiple of
9.6x the original
2019: £10.7m
Operational highlights investment.
Direct investment portfolio ›› See more on

›› Third-party FuM increased to c.£658million (2019:
£87.5m
page 32
c.£381million) contributing £11.7million in revenue
›› FuM increase largely reflects the acquisition of
2019: £87.7m NVM VCT fund management business that added
c.£250million in managed funds
Net revenues ›› Venture FuM c.£476million (2019: c.£224million)
£0.1m
›› Private equity FuM c.£60million (2019: c.£61million)
›› Debt FuM c.£122million (2019: c.£96million)
2019: £1.4m net expenses

01
At a glance
Complete
Connected
Capital
Mercia’s investments across its four asset classes are powering
ambitious regional SMEs with the capital that they need to grow.
Our business model is designed specifically to support the funding
needs of companies through their journey from origin to exit.
Balance sheet Venture

Up to £10m £100k–£10m
We believe our approach to investing differentiates us. The UK’s regions are home to an abundance of early-stage
Mercia’s model is to seek material influence (c.20%–40%) and scaling companies that Mercia has long recognised
in companies with modest capital needs, typically less than and provided capital to. Our aim is to close the funding gap
£10.0million, and with realistic entry valuations. We are in the regions, demonstrated by our track record of
active board advisers and engaged intermediaries in the investment into c.230 inspiring businesses in the Midlands,
businesses in which we invest. We provide access to the the North of England and Scotland. Sourced through our
Mercia Platform of sector experts and talent network of deeply embedded networks, digital deal origination and
non-executives. We are not restricted in our ability to local partnership initiatives, our capital investment and
provide capital investment and follow-on funding to our advice have fuelled emerging industries and supported
portfolio assets so we can support each of these investee innovative growth for ambitious companies seeking
companies throughout their growth journey to optimum profitability.
returns and timely realisations.
Total portfolio 25 Total portfolio 233

Total invested in 2020 £17.5m Total invested in 2020 £34.4m
Liquidity £30.2m FuM £475.6m
Private equity Debt

Up to £10m £100k–£10m
Mercia’s performance in the private equity space remains We back ambition in the regions by lending debt finance
robust. Our ability to support established businesses that to businesses that are established, profitable and
benefit from long-term growth trends and to apply disciplined, led by management teams that have a growth track
active management to these portfolio companies has record. Frequently used to preserve equity or working
maximised shareholder returns. Our purpose, to generate alongside the private equity team, debt plays a key role in
attractive returns for our shareholders and fund investors, Mercia’s Complete Connected Capital model, offering
is underpinned by considered origination and identifying and tailored solutions to small and medium-sized companies
leveraging the talent in our non-executive network to provide across a broad range of sectors.
the optimal stewardship of our portfolio businesses.
Total portfolio 10 Total portfolio 119

Total invested in 2020 £10.7m Total loans in 2020 £14.5m
FuM £59.8m FuM £121.8m

02 03 04
05 06
01 Ian Wilson, Fund Principal, North East

Venture Fund & Investment Committee.
02 M
aurice Disasi, Investment Associate,
NPIF Equity.
03 A
lex Wilson, Investment Manager,
Mercia Northern VCTs.
8 offices 04 M
ichelle Heaselgrave, Head of
People & Talent.
across the UK
05 Chris Kilroy, Investment Director, EIS.
06 V
al Andrew, Fund Administrator,
Debt Finance.
We have a solid track record of investing

through economic cycles and
consistently providing returns across
all our asset classes under management.

The regional investor
Right capital,
right company,
right place
As a proactive specialist asset
manager investing in the regions,
we have created an investment model
to specifically support the needs of
exciting, well-led SMEs in their rapid
growth and deliver shareholder and
fund investor value.
We pride ourselves on the

positive impact we have
made in the regions.
Our critical success factors

remain: the ability to invest
through economic and
business cycles, pick well,
buy well and exit well to
create substantial value.
Dr Mark Payton
Chief Executive Officer

Armit Chandan
CEO, Aceleron.
Carlton Cummins
CTO, Aceleron.
Our focus Our locations

We are exclusively a domestic investor, with a focus We have eight regional offices
on the UK regions where we are a leading provider across the UK, as well as two
of capital to ambitious SMEs to support those additional locations from which
businesses from early-stage to scale-up and growth. our staff can be based.
Edinburgh
istribution of
D
high-growth firms
otal equity
T
investment
across UK
Henley-in-Arden
46% Hull
Leeds
Manchester
22%
Newcastle
Nottingham
Preston
Sheffield
Tees Valley
Non-executive Chair’s statement
Times such as these can be

challenging and difficult,
but they can also be defining
moments. I am proud to be
part of #OneMercia.

The execution of
Mercia’s strategy
is making good
progress
The year ended 31 March 2020 has seen
continued positive progress towards the
The Board remains focused on the progress of
the largest balance sheet direct investments,
Living
execution of the Group’s strategic plan. as well as the successful stewardship of the our values
This is reflected in the underlying progress Group’s growing fund management activities.
made by many of the businesses in the The near-term impact on fair values, and We recruit exceptional people who
Group’s direct investment portfolio, as therefore the Group’s net asset value per are bright, creative, with a credible
well as Mercia’s growing and profitable share, is frustrating. However, Mercia’s strong track record and a passion for what
fund management operations. Notable liquidity position, both within its managed we do and getting things done.
events during a busy year for Mercia were funds and within its own balance sheet,
the successful placing and acquisition, provides the Group with considerable
which were announced alongside investment capacity to take advantage of Growth focused:
the Group’s interim results on anticipated lower entry prices as the current
We seek to optimise
3 December 2020. financial year unfolds. Investment returns by
performance and growth at an
a portfolio are often driven more by entry
individual, team, Group and
Direct investment portfolio prices than by exit prices and Mercia intends
investee level.
Valuing the direct investment portfolio on to take full advantage of the investment
31 March 2020, so soon into the United opportunities, which it anticipates will arise
Kingdom’s COVID-19 related ‘lockdown’, during the coming months. Responsive:
is inevitably difficult. The Group has
The investment teams across all of our asset We think deeply, always meeting
consistently complied with the International
classes, being balance sheet, venture, private commitments and aiming to
Private Equity and Venture Capital Valuation
equity and debt, have been working closely exceed expectations.
Guidelines (“IPEVCVG”). This has resulted in
an overall fair value reduction in the direct with their portfolio companies to help as
portfolio of 15.3%. It is important to note that many as possible through the current
unprecedented economic slowdown. Mercia’s
Knowledgeable:
these fair values have been determined at a
moment of global economic crisis which will marketing team has also hosted a number of We are recognised as experts in
ease over time, and that within the portfolio impressive and insightful webinars on a wide our field, sharing knowledge for
are companies which are still making rapid range of relevant business support topics, the benefit of others.
commercial progress. Whilst it is possible that aimed specifically at helping our c.390
not all of the existing portfolio companies will
survive current sector-specific challenges,
portfolio companies.
Trusted:
most will, and we expect their fair values to We are trusted partners, known
recover over time. Furthermore, for some of for being honest, professional,
the portfolio companies this period will reliable and fair.
actually see their fair values accelerate faster
than would have been the case under normal ›› See more on
economic conditions. page 43

Non-executive Chair’s statement continued
Strategic review – update Successful placing and acquisition Governance and engagement
on progress On 3 December 2019 Mercia simultaneously Throughout the year the Board has focused
As I referred to in my statement last year, announced a proposed placing to raise on the strategic direction of the Group and on
during the early part of 2019 the Board £30.0million gross and the conditional executing the priorities identified. The
conducted a detailed strategic review of the agreement to acquire three venture capital Directors (together with the Group’s Chief
Group’s progress to date, the aim being to trust (“VCT”) fund management contracts Operating Officer, Peter Dines) provide a
continue to scale Mercia over the following (‘the Northern VCT contracts’) from NVM balanced leadership group with relevant
three years to become a profitable and Private Equity LLP (“NVM”), together with their experience to drive the creation of
self-sustaining investment group. The three VCT investment team, for a total consideration shareholder value. Given the evolution of
key pillars to achieving these strategic of up to £25.0million. On 20 December 2019, Mercia into a specialist asset manager, I said
objectives are: shareholders overwhelmingly approved the last year that the Board intended to appoint
• to achieve operating profitability before issue of 120.0million new Ordinary shares at an additional Non-executive Director with
fair value movements, realised gains and 25.0 pence per share via the placing, and the relevant specialist asset management
all non-cash charges; acquisition of the VCT fund management experience. No sooner had the search
• to expand the Group’s assets under business was completed on 23 December commenced than Mercia entered detailed
management to at least £1.0billion; and 2019. Approximately half of the placing negotiations with NVM and it was agreed that
• to ‘evergreen’ its balance sheet so that the proceeds were used to fund the initial cash the search would be paused until the outcome
Group’s direct investment activities are consideration for the acquisition and the of the proposed fund raising and acquisition
fully funded by periodic cash realisations placing expenses, whilst the remainder has became known. That search has now
from the existing portfolio. strengthened the Group’s ability to continue recommenced in earnest, although it is
to invest in the most promising businesses, inevitable that lockdown and the need for
During the year the Group made substantial both in its direct investment portfolio and social distancing is elongating the selection
progress towards the achievement of all three those showing most promise in its managed process.
of these objectives, most notably through the funds.
successful placing and acquisition in Since its inception in 2014, the Group has
December 2019. Acquisitions compress time The three Northern VCTs are long-standing, embedded a strong corporate governance
and successful ones enhance shareholder professionally-governed and successful listed ethic in all of its internal and external
value. The early signs for Mercia’s most recent investment trusts. The broadly regional focus, interactions. As a member of the Quoted
acquisition are encouraging. inclusive culture and sound business values Companies Alliance (“QCA”) since 2015, and
of NVM, and within it their talented VCT with its fund management operations
Since its inception, Mercia has been clear in its investment team, chimed closely with Mercia’s regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
determination to trade profitably, so that its own DNA. The Board was very pleased to be (“FCA”), Mercia always seeks to act in the best
revenues exceed the total operating costs of able to agree mutually satisfactory terms with interests of its stakeholders. Proactive
the Group. The key to reaching this objective is NVM and is most grateful to the boards of the engagement with all stakeholder groups is
twofold – continuing to increase the quantum three Northern VCTs for their agreement to fundamentally important to our Board and
of funds which the Group manages on behalf novate each of the fund management you will be able to read many examples of
of third-party stakeholders, whilst, at the contracts to Mercia. A post-acquisition how we do this within this Annual Report. In
same time, maintaining control of costs. 100-day integration plan was completed by respect of the recently acquired VCT fund
the financial year end, including welcoming management business, I have engaged
The Group is also determined to reach the the VCT investment team into our #OneMercia directly with the chairs of each VCT board
point of balance sheet sustainability, such that family. For the relatively short period of and look forward to developing those
regular realised cash returns from trade sales ownership from acquisition to 31 March 2020, relationships for the mutual benefit of all
and the unwinding of equity stakes in listed notwithstanding the COVID-19 impact on parties during the current financial year.
companies are sufficient for its annual direct current VCT portfolio valuations and asset
investment needs. value linked revenues, I am pleased to say that
the financial performance of the acquired
business met expectations.

The backbone of our culture is COVID-19 The results disclosed in this Annual Report and
our people In response to the challenges posed by consolidated financial statements show the
The wellbeing of our staff has always been a COVID-19, the Group’s focus has been on three tangible progress that the Group has made
priority within Mercia. The current lockdown priorities: the safety of our employees, during the year towards the achievement of
has helped bring our ever-growing community continued support for our portfolio its strategic objectives. They also show the
even closer together; be it via the weekly companies, and maintaining long-term value near-term impact on asset values arising from
Zoom staff updates, team-specific check-ins, creation potential for our shareholders and the market’s reaction to COVID-19 and its likely
a weekly Mercia quiz, our many internal Slack the investors in our managed funds. impact on the global economy.
channels, our in-house newsletter ‘Friday Throughout this crisis, Mercia has adhered at
Files’ or our ongoing charity and team building all times to UK Government directives and will As our 25 March 2020 business update
initiatives. These daily interactions have continue to do so. We have successfully announcement made clear, where contracted
helped preserve our group-wide cohesion and implemented our business continuity plans revenues are directly linked to the carrying
common purpose, being to deliver superior and the Group’s transition to all staff working value of fund or trust assets, those recurring
long-term returns for our shareholders and from home has been remarkably smooth. revenues will reduce, until the value of the
fund stakeholders alike. underlying assets recovers. This is likely to be
Every portfolio company has been risk the case for the current financial year and as a
Since lockdown commenced, there has been assessed and all are being closely monitored. result the Group has already taken a number of
an increased focus on the impact of remote We have an investment team of considerable cost containment actions.
working on the mental health and wellbeing calibre and experience that has assessed
of our staff. The increased level of team and the needs of each portfolio company. Our Times such as these can be challenging and
group-wide communications reflected above, significant balance sheet and managed funds’ difficult, but they can also be defining
and the very obvious care and compassion for liquidity will be deployed wisely in the current moments. I am proud to be part of #OneMercia,
each other being demonstrated by so many of year, to preserve the inherent future value which is full of people who care about the funds
our staff across the business, speak louder within each portfolio. As a result of our we manage, the companies in which we invest
than any words about Mercia’s culture. We increased active engagement with all portfolio or to whom we lend and, most important of all,
have been fortunate thus far that the vast companies across our asset classes, no staff who care about each other. Thank you to all of
majority of our staff remain fit and well, have been furloughed. Furthermore, given our those people.
although we have also been saddened to hear strong liquidity position, the Group has not
that several members of the team have lost needed to seek any government-supported Finally, I should like to thank our shareholders,
relatives due to the virus. Our thoughts are debt funding. both new and existing, for your continuing
with them and their wider families. support during this challenging period of
Outlook economic and social upheaval. Mercia has a
Those of us who have been through previous focused business model, great people and a
sharp downturns in the UK economy, if perhaps strong balance sheet. Hence, notwithstanding
not as stark as this one, will know that the the current economic challenges facing our
survival of any company, large or small, new or country, I am confident that Mercia will be able
old, often depends on two things – the strength to successfully execute its strategic objectives
of its balance sheet and the quality of its in the months and years ahead.
people. At a time when cash is king, Mercia is
blessed in having a very strong balance sheet,
with approximately £30million of unrestricted Ian R Metcalfe
cash, combined with an extremely capable and Non-executive Chair
experienced leadership team, all of whom are
pulling together in the same direction.

Our business model
Realising value
for ambitious
companies 01
Key strengths
and differentiators
Regional focus
London and the South East have a significant
oversupply of capital creating high pre-money
valuations. The UK regions offer exciting deals
Complete
with businesses that are priced sensibly and
have relatively modest capital needs that we
can, if we choose to, support solely from our
Connected
own means.
Experienced team
Capital We further strengthened our model of

combining business expertise with geographic
and investment knowledge with the addition of
the VCT investment team. We have increased
investment capacity across our regional offices
to 64 investment specialists.
Mercia Platform
Seeking to strengthen portfolio performance
to drive returns, Mercia’s Platform provides
access to high-quality business leaders,
advisory teams and operational specialists to
offer relevant support and enable the
development of our portfolio’s leadership teams.
Capital resource
Our approach to investing has evolved Mercia has c.£800million in AuM (c.£142million
of net assets and c.£658million in FuM) of which
over many years and is predicated on there is £30.2million in unrestricted free cash to
invest over the next two to five years.
the cyclical nature of private capital
deployment in the regions, where Established partnerships
Powerful relationships and deeply embedded
optimised returns are driven through ecosystems provide unparalleled access to a
deep industry experience and buying well wealth of opportunities across the regions.
From our 19 university partnerships to our
through the cycle. non-executive networks, we are well placed
as the investment partner of choice.

02 03
Complete · Connected · Capital Stakeholder
value creation
What we do Investee companies
Mercia’s ‘Complete Connected Capital’ means that we can draw upon various pools of Ambitious regional SMEs that require
capital across our asset classes, delivering the appropriate relatively modest capital needs and are
levels of cash at the right time. priced sensibly.
Initial average investment from

venture
£0.5m
Third-party investors
Solid track record of investing through the
cycles and consistently providing returns
across all our asset classes.
Successful fund exits in 2020

Deal flow
sources
Pathfinder
& seed
0-3 years
Early stage &
development
1-7 years
Growth
& scale
3-7 years
Exit
7-15 years 5
Third-party funds Balance sheet capital
c.£658million in FuM to deploy into selective, Mercia has £30.2million unrestricted cash
Employees
high-growth SMEs across venture, private on its balance sheet to deploy as investment 93 colleagues whose individual objectives,
equity and debt. follow-on capital to promising companies together with our values, drive Mercia’s
in its existing direct portfolio and its performance.
third-party funds’ portfolio.
Training hours
How we do it
Source well
Optimised returns are
Buy well
We are focused on
Support well
Beyond finance,
Sell well
Our ability to provide
1,929
driven through deep investing in the we are active advisers follow-on funding ›› See more on page 40
industry experience highest quadrant of to our portfolio and capital for
and powerful businesses that companies and organic growth or
partnerships that have appropriate provide access to our acquisition supports
drive deal origination, pre-money Mercia network of optimum exits and
which allows Mercia to valuations and where business leaders, timely realisations.
see 59% of deals in we can provide sector experts and
the regions. support in achieving non-executives to
the commercial support our
drivers of value investments in
creation. achieving profitability.

Our strategy
First choice
for investees,
investors and
employees
Our vision is to become the
leading manager of regional
growth funds and the leading
provider of regional capital to
growth SMEs with modest
capital needs.
Building a
sustainable
business
Scale, profitability and
investment returns
Our strategy is simple: we are growing our assets under
management to make our business consistently
profitable and we are working with our portfolio
companies to deliver cash returns to fund our direct
investment portfolio.

This strategy will translate into value for our shareholders and the investors in our funds.
To achieve this, in 2019 we set out five three-year strategic priorities:
01 02 03
Strategy Strategy Strategy

Increase AuM to Achieve 15% IRR Achieve operating
at least £1.0bn on third-party profitability
›› Organic growth in our SEIS/EIS funds and balance sheet ›› Recurring revenue from growing FuM
›› New mandates equity investments ›› Operational leverage
›› Selective acquisitions ›› Disciplined spend
Progress Progress Progress

In 2020 we increased third-party Mercia is well placed with preserved capability Following the acquisition of the VCT fund
funds from c.£381m to c.£658m and liquidity to manage its immediate management business, we expect to be
›› £54.3m from increased mandates priorities and sustain its strategic objective of profitable on an operating basis in the new
›› c.£250m through the strategic acquisition achieving 15% IRR in portfolio performance. financial year.
of the VCT fund management business
There continues to be operational leverage in
Mercia to support further growth.
04 05
Strategy Strategy
Become the most Evergreen our balance
active investor in The Mercia model is sheet to fund our direct
our market with up different. I do think it’s investment activities
to 20% market share been really important for through cash
our growth and it’s been
›› Access to deal flow through networks realisations from our
very important for me in
and university partnerships
terms of being able to
direct portfolio
›› Reputation and track record of
supporting investee companies understand what we Progress
›› Complete Connected Capital offering
›› Experienced team capable of completing
need to do to position the Our portfolio of direct investments has an
average holding period of just under three
investments equitably and efficiently business right for other years. On average we target a holding period
investors. It’s been great of three to seven years, allowing our
Progress companies to establish their business model
In 2020 we increased our
working with Mercia and scale up with our support.
market share to 18% over the years.
›› Evaluated 59% of deals in the region and Our investee companies are making
invested in 18% Ryan Cawood operational progress, some achieving
›› Completed 133 investments across Founder & CEO, OXGENE. significant milestones, although COVID-19 and
all portfolios the economic outlook are creating challenges
and, in some cases, delays.
Our focus has been on evaluating the short

and long-term impact on every business,
acting decisively and extending the cash
runway where appropriate.

Chief Executive Officer’s review
I am pleased to say that, in

many ways, 2020 was a year of
significant progress for Mercia
as we achieved our goal of
trading profitably a year earlier
than planned, and significantly
increased the scale of our fund
management business, both
key parts of our three-year
strategic plan.

A leading
and trusted
provider of
regional capital
Overview The £30.0million placing in December 2019
These results close the first year into our allowed us to complete the VCT acquisition
three-year strategic plan as a proactive, and has provided us with additional capital to
regionally focused, specialist asset manager support our objective of achieving evergreen
where we set three measurable targets: (i) status for our direct investment portfolio.
to achieve operating profitability before fair
value movements, realised gains and all In 2020, revenue increased by 19.4% to
non-cash charges; (ii) to expand the Group’s £12.7million (2019: £10.7million), which
assets under management (“AuM”) to at least enabled the Group to move from net
£1.0billion; and (iii) to ‘evergreen’ Mercia’s expenses of £1.4million in 2019 to net
balance sheet so that the Group’s direct revenues of £0.1million, an improvement of
investment activities are fully funded by £1.5million. Unrestricted cash increased to
periodic cash realisations from the £30.2million (2019: £29.8million). Largely
existing portfolio. as a result of the impact of COVID-19 on asset
prices, the direct investment portfolio’s fair
During the last 12 months we completed the value decreased by 15.3%. This reduction
acquisition of the three VCT fund management also contributed to net assets at the year end
contracts (‘the Northern VCT contracts’) from being £141.5million (2019: £126.1million).
NVM Private Equity LLP, increasing our AuM by
c.58% to c.£800million. These contracts COVID-19
brought with them additional recurring The initial outbreak in China in December
revenues, which have helped bring us to our 2019 immediately impacted on certain supply
goal of trading profitably on a ‘net revenues’ chains within our direct portfolio and, in
basis, one year earlier than planned. The addition, the subsequent lockdown of circa
transaction also resulted in the talented VCT one third of the planet resulted in lost or
investment team joining Mercia. reduced customer demand.
Following the acquisition, 82% of Mercia’s AuM We now face the possibility of one of the
is now in third-party funds under management largest global economic recessions since the
(“FuM”) (up from 23% of AuM at our IPO in 1930s, with domestic debt exceeding that of
2014) with the balance of 18% represented by World War I. It is my strong belief that there
our consolidated balance sheet. We expect this will be a gradual recovery over a 12 to
shift towards FuM to continue as our fund 24-month period and that experienced
management business develops further. investors with liquidity and preserved
capability will be well placed.

Chief Executive Officer’s review continued
Mercia’s investment model was developed to Fund performance Debt

counter the inevitability of cyclical markets, Mercia’s investment model is to target Mercia’s debt funds have been actively
with many of the team at Mercia having appropriately priced regional businesses lending throughout the year and our recent
invested through the cycles of 2000 and 2008. seeking modest capital to, in part, protect Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan
Mercia’s model is to seek material influence Mercia from major cyclical corrections. We Scheme (“CBILS”) accreditation will enable us
(c.20–40% stakes) in companies that have have performed a thorough COVID-19 analysis to further support regional businesses
relatively modest capital needs – typically less across the whole Mercia portfolio and through these challenging times.
than £10.0million – with realistic entry adjusted valuations accordingly. Although our
valuations. This, together with our strong venture and private equity portfolios are not Balance sheet
liquidity, positions us well to support our immune to these asset price corrections, we The average holding period of our direct
investee companies and influence appropriate believe that they are weathering the storm, investments is just under three years with an
decision making at this time. compared to the broader industry, with fund expectation that investments will be realised
portfolio fair value movements between +10% over a three to seven-year time frame from
Sadly, in every correction there are both to -30% as at 31 March 2020. initial investment. Since Mercia’s IPO in
winners and losers. Businesses with near-term December 2014, we have invested £94.7million
profitable business models and business-to- Venture into our current direct investments, plus a
business (“B2B”) operations with strong Mercia benefits from a diversified venture further net £1.3million as a cornerstone
recurring revenue in favoured sectors such as portfolio of 233 businesses across different investor in four of our managed funds. Thus far
software, digital entertainment, medtech, sectors and stages of development. As a direct we have generated £14.5million in realised
digital healthcare, diagnostics and biotech consequence of COVID-19 there has been an returns. The net asset value of our direct
will likely benefit. Within our direct inevitable fair value movement in many investments at the year end was £87.5million
investment portfolio, Warwick Acoustics, investee holding values resulting in fund (2019: £87.7million), with the overall reduction
Impression Technologies (both serving the portfolio valuations being adjusted in the year being largely as a result of the impact of
automotive sector), Crowd Reactive (events ranging from up by 10% to down by 31%. COVID-19.
management) and LM Technologies (Chinese
supply chain) have inevitably suffered. Private equity
However, others have benefitted: within the Our first private equity fund to be fully
biotech sector, OXGENE and The Native unwound is another regional fund, the
Antigen Company; within digital home Coalfields Growth Fund (“CGF”), which has
entertainment, nDreams and Soccer Manager; generated an internal rate of return (“IRR”) of
and Intechnica within online queue 19.8% and distributions to paid-in capital
management and website defence. Reflecting (“DPI”) of 167%. This fund benefitted from a
structural changes and new emerging sectors, portfolio of eight companies generating five
we have remodelled or pivoted certain trade sales at multiples above cost. The
portfolio companies and revised our notable exit of Woodall Nicholson in March
investment approach to new prospects, 2020 generated a return of c.9.6x on the
to reflect this emerging paradigm. original cost. The COVID-19 impact on holding
values across our active private equity FuM
has contributed to a reduction in fair values of
7% to 31%.

Portfolio highlights Outlook during the lockdown and the Company has not
Some of the investments within our FuM and As Chief Executive, my priorities at this time applied for any Government funding schemes,
our direct investment portfolios are starting are to ensure that Mercia is financially robust save on behalf of our portfolio companies, as
to create significant value. and operationally agile, with strong liquidity we continue to behave as a responsible and
and preserved capability. As the economic supportive regional investor. I have confidence
Notable direct investments initially supported environment toughens, which I expect it to, in Mercia’s intrinsic strengths and these are
by our FuM include: OXGENE (a promising this ensures that we are resilient to the reflected in our own core values. During the
synthetic biology business that is growing downturn and able to support our existing recent period of remote working, Mercia’s 93
rapidly, with revenues up by c.240% in the portfolio, whilst being prepared to take employees have been remarkably resilient and
past 12 months), nDreams (a fee-for-service advantage of the opportunities that will supportive of each other and of those around
and proprietary content virtual reality undoubtedly lie ahead for those with strong us. I am proud of the work we are doing in the
developer benefitting from the lockdown liquidity and available capital to deploy. regions as we seek to strengthen our portfolio,
period with revenue growth of c.100%), as a trusted partner to regional business and
Intechnica (providing bot analytics and We have entered our new financial year thus safeguard employment and economic
website optimisation services and tools, debt-free and with unrestricted liquidity of prospects. Internally, we reference the Group
with strong revenue growth of c.50%) and c.£290million to invest across our FuM as #OneMercia and I welcome the excellent
The Native Antigen Company (a leading portfolios, plus c.£30million for direct people who have recently joined us through
provider of COVID-19 antigens for diagnostic, investing. We remain focused on transactions the acquisition of the Northern VCT contracts.
vaccine, research and development purposes, of typically less than £10.0million, leveraging I would like to thank our entire valued team for
with revenue growth of over 200%). the asset classes we have across the Group. their continued drive, commitment and
We are uniquely positioned to combine equity professionalism.
Notable venture portfolio companies within with debt finance, via our third-party FuM as
our FuM include: Abingdon Health, which well as with our proprietary balance sheet
amongst other programmes, is involved in the capital, where appropriate. Dr Mark Payton
fight against COVID-19, and is a founding Chief Executive Officer
member of the UK’s rapid test consortium Over the medium term, I believe the economic
(“UK-RTC") leading the assay development recovery will be beneficial to the types of
programme in partnership with the University businesses that we have traditionally
of Oxford; Axis Spine, which has recently supported, particularly those in medtech and
received US Food and Drug Administration diagnostics, digital entertainment and
(“FDA”) approval for its lead product e-commerce support platforms.
addressing the lucrative US spinal implant Notwithstanding the current reduction in
sector, valued annually at c.£7billion; and asset price linked fund management revenues,
Sense Biodetection, which is developing a Mercia has begun the new financial year
point-of-care instrument-free bacterial trading profitably, which we expect to
and viral pathogen diagnostic tool for a continue. The long-term potential of our direct
variety of infectious agents, including investment portfolio, with its relatively
COVID-19. modest capital needs, remains positive and
we expect the value of this maturing portfolio
to accelerate beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.
None of Mercia’s staff have been furloughed

Strategy in action
Strategic
execution
Since our IPO in December 2014, we have strengthened the Group
through targeted strategic acquisitions, increasing our scale,
the breadth and depth of our offering and now our profitability.
In December 2019 Mercia acquired three business model. Looking forward, the
venture capital trust (“VCT”) fund acquisition strengthens our ability to raise and Creating value
management contracts (‘the Northern VCTs’) win new fund mandates, continuing to grow our ›› Accelerates progress
from NVM Private Equity LLP and fund management business and future financial towards £1.0bn AuM bringing
simultaneously raised £30.0million, returns for the Group. Pleasingly, post period
accelerating its progress towards its goals end in April 2020 the Northern VCTs raised
in c.£250m AuM
of reaching £1.0billion AuM, operating £38.2million in a market environment drastically ›› Increases Mercia’s recurring
profitability and an evergreen balance sheet. affected by COVID-19, demonstrating the
revenue base and operating
quality, robustness and reputation of the three
Significant value Northern VCTs. profit contribution
creation opportunities ›› Complements Mercia’s Complete
The acquisition of the VCT fund management NVM’s portfolio and liquidity cement
Connected Capital model
business is a critical inflection point for the our position
Group, significantly increasing our scale, The acquisition of the VCT fund management ›› Makes Mercia a leading provider
adding a new investment product to our business complements Mercia’s Complete
of regional seed and growth
offering, additional capability to our Connected Capital model and cements our
investment team and a portfolio of maturing position as one of the foremost regional capital
VCT investee companies. providers of capital to growing SMEs. Together, ›› Expands the Group’s liquidity to
the Northern VCTs’ portfolio consists of c.60
deploy into regional SMEs
Scaling accelerates path companies, including 17 listed companies, 27
to profitability private venture companies and 16 private equity ›› Broadens Mercia’s origination
With the acquisition of the VCT fund companies. This extensive portfolio creates new
opportunities for our direct investment
network
management business, Mercia’s total AuM
grew by c.£250million (an increase of c.50% portfolio. ›› Expands the direct investment
at the time of the acquisition) bringing in opportunities through the VCTs'
additional recurring revenues that will make Liquidity is a key success factor in our business.
us profitable at an operating level (before fair This makes us a preferred choice for quality, underlying portfolios
value adjustments, realisation gains and all potential investee companies and gives us
non-cash charges). This is a considerable step flexibility to support and manage our portfolios
towards developing a fully sustainable as companies mature. Following the acquisition,
Mercia has £30.2million of unrestricted cash to
invest from its own balance sheet.
VCTs’ FuM at date of acquisition
c.£270m
Finally, the £30.0million placing associated with
the acquisition strengthened the Company’s
financial position and its shareholder register,
bringing in new investors, which will enhance
liquidity for our shareholders.
Funds raised in 2020
£38.2m
Tim Levett
VCT Investment
Committee.
£25.0macquisition
Mercia successfully raised £30.0million

and completed the acquisition of three
VCT fund management contracts from
NVM Private Equity LLP.

Key performance indicators
Strategic priorities
We focus on UK regional opportunities where our strong capital position can
help create material value for all our stakeholders over the medium term.
Scaling FuM combined with tight cost control has also enabled the Group to
reach trading profitability one year ahead of plan.
Indicator How it was measured Performance

Growth in value of
£17.5m
Measured in terms of the gross cash
invested in direct investments
the Group’s portfolio
through investment 2020 £17.5m
activity 2019 £19.4m
The Group has demonstrated continued
investment activity resulting in growth in
the value of its direct investment portfolio
through the gross amount of cash invested
Growth in value of
£(15.8)m
Measured in terms of the net fair
value (loss)/gain arising in the value
the Group’s portfolio of the portfolio using established
through fair value valuation methodologies based on
2020 £(15.8)m
the International Private Equity and
movements Venture Capital Valuation Guidelines 2019 £3.9m
(“IPEVCVG”) Reflects a year of continuing positive overall
momentum until impacted just before the
year end by the significant correction in asset
prices resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic
Number of companies
18
Measured in terms of all companies
invested in (both existing and new
invested in during direct investments) during the year
the year 2020 18
2019 17
The Group has demonstrated continued
growth in its direct investment activities
through the number of companies in which it
has invested during the year
Unrestricted cash
£30.2m
Measured in terms of cash, cash
equivalents and short-term liquidity
balances and investments held by the Group,
short-term liquidity excluding funds held on behalf of
2020 £30.2m
third-party EIS investors
investments held by the 2019 £29.8m
Group at the year end Mercia continues to have sufficient liquidity
for its direct investing and operating activities

Indicator How it was measured Performance

Third-party funds
c.£658m
Measured in terms of fund
management contracts secured
under management and under active management
(“FuM”) 2020 c.£658m
2019 c.£381m
The FuM increase was mainly due to the
acquisition of the VCT fund management
contracts, offset by distributions to fund
investors and fair value impairments
Investment realisation
£0.0m
Measured in terms of the
cash proceeds received from
proceeds received realised investments
2020 £0.0m
2019 £0.0m
No cash realisations were completed during
the year, although external interest in the
Group’s direct investments is increasing.
Post year end £4.8million was received from
the sale of The Native Antigen Company
Revenue
£12.7m
Measured in terms of all
revenues derived from both
fund management and direct
investing activities
2020 £12.7m
2019 £10.7m
The Group’s revenue increase was largely
derived from the acquisition of the VCT fund
management contracts
Net revenues/
£0.1m
Measured in terms of total
revenues less all staff and
(expenses) administrative expenses
2020 £0.1m
2019 £(1.4)m
In 2020 the Group reached the turning point
where its total revenues exceeded its total
operating costs
Net asset value

32.1p
Measured in terms of the Group’s
consolidated balance sheet net
per share assets divided by the number of
shares in issue at the year end
2020 32.1p
2019 41.6p
The Group’s net asset value per share reduced
due to the dilutive impact of the placing in
December 2019 and the near-term impact of the
COVID-19 pandemic on the direct investment
portfolio valuation

Chief Investment Officer’s review
As we enter the new financial

year we do so with a well-
assembled portfolio of
companies that are aware of the
challenges and opportunities
that lie ahead.

Deepening
management
capabilities
At the beginning of the financial year, them to correspond directly with each other,
I encouraged our investment teams to to share and seek ad hoc advice and
focus on two areas that will accelerate value commercial insight, thereby creating a
creation across our portfolios: building out network of opportunities across the portfolio.
the management teams of our investee We see this as an invaluable informal
companies, where appropriate, through the mentoring and development tool. Our
addition of chairs and non-executive directors connected approach means that we can help
via Mercia’s talent Platform; and further our portfolio companies’ management teams
developing our network of co-investors. to take advantage of the opportunities ahead
We have made significant progress on both of them and provide them with guidance as
fronts, although the positive effect on our they navigate the inevitable issues associated
financial results has been masked to a large with growing and scaling young businesses.
degree by the current impact on asset prices
from the COVID-19 pandemic. Expanding our network of co-investors
Expanding our network of like-minded
Deepening management capabilities co-investors is critical to ensure that as our
We have focused on increasing the collective portfolio continues to mature and grow,
capability of the management teams that we we can provide companies with the scale-up
are backing. Through our talent resourcing capital required, while bringing along
capabilities, we have introduced companies partners that share our vision and expand
to experienced board-level support, helped our opportunities for an exit at the right time.
our portfolio make 33 senior non-executive Our efforts during the year resulted in 12 new
director board appointments and enabled investment partners joining syndicates
the development of powerful leadership across our portfolio.
teams. We are also building a collective of
successful managers with complementary COVID-19
skills to support our portfolio, including CFO The COVID-19 pandemic has been an
input, sales process design, new market entry incredibly difficult and stressful time for our
and regulatory expertise. entrepreneurs and management teams; we
have seen them act decisively and sensibly at
Mercia’s network is an integral part of our a time of great uncertainty and I pay tribute
approach to adding value by building a to them all.
strong base of experienced connections,
underpinned by the online and offline
communication we offer. We make a Slack
channel available to all of our CEOs to enable

Chief Investment Officer’s review continued
At Mercia we reacted swiftly to the lockdown. We are in the strong position of having Until the arrival of COVID-19 our debt funds
Our priority was to ensure that our entire significant liquidity of c.£320million across all were also maintaining their good overall
portfolio understood the critical need for cash our asset classes. We also have the analytical performance. Our Finance Yorkshire Loan
management, extending their cash runways tools and skills within the team to allocate Fund (“FYLF”) now has less than £0.1million
to enable them, and Mercia, to assess the funds effectively, both in our existing portfolio remaining to be repaid from a total of
longer-term effects of COVID-19 on their and in new opportunities for the long-term £41.6million lent since the last recession in
businesses. We conducted a survey of the benefit of our shareholders and investors in 2010. It has returned a total of £44.5million:
portfolio at the beginning of the lockdown our funds. a legacy which is c.£4million greater than was
and quickly crafted and delivered a series of originally anticipated from this ‘Gap’ Fund.
webinars to support the portfolio around Portfolio update
their critical concerns, ranging from cash Managed funds: five exits and good Managed funds highlights
management and how to access the various performance by debt funds Mercia continued to invest carefully and
government support schemes, to post- Investment and lending performance are at selectively during the challenging
COVID-19 strategy and recovery, ensuring that the heart of what we do. Our third-party environment created by COVID-19 in the
support went beyond firefighting, looking at managed funds continued their prior year fourth quarter of the financial year. We did
how to manage the exit from lockdown and momentum, performing well against their experience a slowdown in demand for funding
position businesses favourably to take mandates. Across our managed funds, with equity syndicates weakening across the
advantage of opportunities that might we invested a total of £59.7million into 109 portfolio as other institutional investors and
lie ahead. existing and 46 new portfolio companies. angel groups scaled back their investment
activity. This placed a higher burden on the
In early March we assessed the likely medium Five exits were completed in the year, managed funds to provide greater financial
and longer-term effects of COVID-19 across which have now delivered a total return of support to the portfolio in the form of
our portfolio of companies based on 13 £16.3million over the holding period of the follow-on funding.
criteria, including reliance on supply chains, investments. The most significant was
management response, business disruption, Woodall Nicholson, a company in our private Over the last year, the Midlands Engine
balance sheet strength, co-investors and cash equity (“PE”) funds which was sold in late Investment Fund Proof-of-Concept Fund
runway. The results provided immediate March 2020 to another PE house, delivering a (“MEIF POC”), a £23.5million fund, invested
visibility of priorities and needs. Our newly 9.6x return on the original cost. The Coalfields £3.8million into 18 companies, 15 follow-on
acquired venture capital trust (“VCT”) Growth Fund (“CGF”) invested £1.0million investments into existing portfolio companies
operation was able to review and report on its into Woodall Nicholson in 2013, realised 1.9x and three new deals: Industrial Phycology
entire portfolio of c.60 companies, including a in 2016 from a partial sale to the Business (‘I-PHYC’), a pre-revenue start-up company
revaluation of the net asset position ahead Growth Fund and, in total, realised developing a modular wastewater treatment
of the £38.2million successful fundraise, £9.3million. CGF as a whole has now generated system based on their novel algal bioreactor;
announced on 3 April 2020. We are conducting an IRR of 19.8%. Iventis, a Lincolnshire-based software
regular reviews to establish whether any business whose core product is a platform
COVID-19 related impact on our entire A second example is Granby Marketing designed for a large number of users to
portfolio of companies represents a temporary Services, a marketing logistics company in our collaboratively plan complex operations or
pause on progress or a fundamental challenge PE funds that delivered a 2.13x return on cost major events such as the Olympics; and Ebate,
to their business model. via a management buyback. The EV Growth a software-as-a-service (“Saas”) business.
Fund (“EVGF”) invested £1.4million into the The MEIF POC Fund was established in 2018
company in 2013. to provide early-stage capital to innovative
businesses across a wide area of the Midlands.

In the North of England, the Northern During the year, Mercia’s debt team provided Direct investments – operational
Powerhouse Investment Fund (“NPIF”), £14.5million of funding in 46 transactions progress: valuations impacted by
with a mandate to deploy c.£58million in via the EV SME Loans Fund and the NPIF COVID-19
both equity and debt to SMEs in the region, debt fund. In April 2020 Mercia’s NPIF
Valuations
completed 32 transactions investing a total debt mandate was increased by a further
At the half year we reported £3.2million
of £11.8million, of which £7.0million (c.60%) £30.6million, increasing the size of the NPIF
of net upward fair value movements across
was provided to 10 new businesses across debt fund to over £80million to support
our direct investment portfolio, and this trend
the Yorkshire, Humber and Tees Valley region, profitable SMEs as they seek to recover from
was set to continue through the second half of
with the balance of £4.8million invested into the impact of COVID-19. Notable amongst the
the financial year, until the emergence of
22 follow-on investments across 15 existing new loans made was one to Rothband, where
COVID-19. As at 31 March 2020 the value of
portfolio businesses. Cumulatively, since Mercia supported the management of this
the Group’s direct investment portfolio was
being awarded the mandate in February 2017, medical imaging business in their buy-out of
£87.5million (2019: £87.7million). This reflects
the NPIF equity fund has invested £36.0million an institutional investor and another to
a downward movement in fair value for the full
into a portfolio of 47 businesses as at Forward2me, an online logistics business,
year of £15.9million after net investment in
31 March 2020. In April 2020, Mercia’s NPIF where Mercia enabled the buy-out of a retiring
the year of £15.7million (2019: £17.7million).
equity mandate was increased by a further shareholder.
£23.7million.
We have recorded fair value gains in respect
Private equity continued its strong
of OXGENE (£1.6million), The Native Antigen
Within the NPIF equity fund is Abingdon performance up to early March 2020.
Company (£0.6million), Voxpopme
Health, a lateral flow rapid test manufacturer, Enterprise Ventures Growth Fund II (“EVGII”)
(£1.0million) and Soccer Manager (£0.1million)
which has been involved in the fight against invested £10.7million, completing three new
in line with our valuation policy, which follows
COVID-19. It is one of the founding members of investments together with one follow-on
the International Private Equity and Venture
the UK’s rapid test consortium (“UK-RTC”) and investment. Most notable amongst the new
Capital Valuations Guidelines (“IPEVCVG”).
has led the assay development programme in investments was Total Resources Holdings, an
The fair value gains in OXGENE and Voxpopme
partnership with the University of Oxford. MBO that also included £2.0million of debt
relate to third-party investment and in the
support from other Mercia third-party funds.
case of The Native Antigen Company, as the
The North East Venture Fund (“NEVF”) had
business is increasingly profitable and cash
a solid year, concluding 13 transactions and Both EVGF and CGF are now in their
generative, the uplift in fair value reflects the
investing a total of £4.2million. Of those divestment phase although each has already
tangible progress made.
transactions, eight were new deals and five returned the investors’ original capital,
were follow-on investments into existing cleared the hurdle and are now paying
We have taken a careful case-by-case review
portfolio companies. The Northern VCTs periodic carried interest to Mercia.
of the likely effects of COVID-19 on each of our
co-invested directly alongside NEVF in
portfolio companies, and where we see that
Nutshell Software, demonstrating the value
the enterprise value has been affected by
of our Complete Connected Capital.
either delay, uncertainty, or potential dilution
to our stake, we have adjusted the carrying
values. We see the effects of COVID-19 being
potentially significant within the automotive
sector, as original equipment manufacturers
(“OEMs”) struggle with lower demand, supply
chain issues and their own funding situations.
This is likely to slow progress at Warwick
Acoustics and Impression Technologies.
We have therefore decreased the carrying
values of these companies by £5.3million
and £3.1million respectively.

Chief Investment Officer’s review continued
In the events sector, Crowd Reactive has been Investment activity It is also worth noting the progress made by
materially impacted by COVID-19. At the time We have continued to support our largest and Intechnica, Medherant and Faradion.
of the announcement of our interim results in most promising assets, with both capital and
December 2019, the company was trading well resource. £9.0million of the £15.7million Intechnica, a digital performance company,
and was discussing a new funding round with invested during the year was allocated grew revenues by c.50% in the year to
a number of investors; we therefore provided across our top 10 assets including nDreams, c.£9million, winning new clients for its bot
new working capital to deliver on a record Intechnica, Medherant, Voxpopme, Impression management product, Netacea. Netacea was
order book for 2020. However, since February Technologies and Faradion. As many of our identified by Forrester as “leading the pack”
2020, the order book has dissipated with little direct investment portfolio companies now in the sector. Its virtual waiting room product
visibility of a return to normality. We have look to scale their growth, our aim remains to for ecommerce businesses has also gained
therefore taken the difficult decision not to build and/or maintain material equity stakes at traction, winning projects with Ocado and
support the company further and have c.20%–40%, whilst increasingly looking to Pets at Home.
accepted an offer from management to a bring in new third-party capital.
partial repayment of our investment, resulting Medherant, a transdermal drug delivery
in a £2.1million fair value decrease as at We made one new direct investment during company that has two unpartnered lead
31 March 2020. the year into One Touch Apps, trading as products – an Ibuprofen patch at clinical stage
Clear Review, a company from our third-party and a pre-clinical product addressing smoking
Other fair value decreases reflective of funds. Clear Review is a SaaS business cessation – has entered into a partnership
COVID-19 related sentiment included providing HR management tools. with Cycle Pharmaceuticals to develop new
LM Technologies (£2.1million) and Eyoto HR technology remains an exciting sector, products using its proprietary TEPI Patch®
Group (£0.9million). We also recognised a fair indicative of the overall momentum of Clear technology. This partnership demonstrates
value decrease of £1.4million in Concepta, an Review, which passed £2.0million in annual the potential of further licensing opportunities
investment which is listed on AIM so is valued recurring revenue (“ARR”) in December 2019, and the commercialisation of Medherant’s
at its bid price as at 31 March 2020. Following a less than a year after reaching its £1.0million innovative technology for the administering
period of underperformance, the company ARR milestone. At the end of March 2020, the of medicines to patients with rare neurological
has undergone significant management company’s ARR run rate was £2.3million. disorders.
changes, and as a sign of our continued faith in
its products, market opportunity and new Mercia first invested in Clear Review in 2018 Faradion has also made significant progress
team, we participated in the company’s through its managed funds and made an initial with its battery cell technology, developing a
successful £1.9million placing in April 2020. £0.5million direct equity investment alongside number of partnerships and announcing its
co-investor Albion VCT in June 2019. first order from its joint venture partner,
ICM Australia, for its high-energy sodium-ion
Direct investments: operational batteries. Faradion’s sodium-ion technology
highlights provides similar performance to conventional
The last year was significant for a number of chemistries, while replacing expensive
our businesses, with nDreams, OXGENE, materials such as cobalt and lithium with
Soccer Manager and Clear Review all doubling the far more abundant sodium. We are
their revenues and Voxpopme and The Native encouraged by Faradion’s potential, as unlike
Antigen Company also showing sizeable lithium-ion batteries, its sodium-ion batteries
revenue growth. have exceptional thermal stability and can
be safely transported and maintained at
zero volts.

Portfolio overview and liquidity
Venture Private equity Debt Balance sheet

Total portfolio Total portfolio Total portfolio Total portfolio
233 10 119 25
Total FuM Total FuM Total FuM Total NAV

£475.6m £59.8m £121.8m £141.5m
Liquidity Liquidity Liquidity Liquidity

£184.4m £24.3m £76.9m £30.2m
Post period end developments On 1 July 2020 MIP Diagnostics (“MIP”) became a Mercia first invested in NAC in 2011 through its
Investment activity has continued since the new direct investment. Mercia’s balance sheet third-party managed funds (which as at 31 March
financial year end with new funding rounds for committed £0.5million alongside £0.6million 2020 held an additional combined stake of
OXGENE, Eyoto Group and Medherant, into from Mercia’s EIS funds as part of a £5.1million 20.9%) and subsequently, from its own balance
which we have invested £1.0million, £0.5million syndicated funding round. A spinout from the sheet as a direct investment in December 2014.
and £1.4million respectively. We have also University of Leicester (a partner university) and In addition to the direct investment returns, the
continued to provide financial support to W2 originally supported via Mercia’s managed sale will generate a 12.1x return on a blended
Global Data Solutions, Warwick Acoustics and third-party funds in 2015 (which hold a c.28% third-party managed funds investment cost and
VirtTrade, as these companies make progress. equity stake in addition to Mercia’s direct stake), a 31% funds IRR. Mercia has proactively
MIP has developed a disruptive platform supported NAC since its first day of trading,
Concepta announced its £1.9million placing in technology seeking to address the c.$85billion including representation from Mercia’s Chief
April 2020, with Mercia investing £0.7million antibody market using synthetic antibodies via a Operating Officer, Peter Dines, as a non-
(£0.2million from its balance sheet and process known as Molecularly Imprinted executive director on the NAC board through to
£0.5million from its EIS funds). The company Polymers. The MIP deal also demonstrates our exit.
now has a new executive team, strategy and continued focus on expanding our networks of
reduced cash burn rate. co-investors, with the Business Growth Fund, NAC was founded in 2010, as a divestiture from a
Downing Ventures and Calculus Capital as University of Birmingham spinout company, and
Also in April 2020, we were pleased to announce co-investment partners. has since become one of the world’s leading
that the three Northern VCTs had raised suppliers of infectious disease reagents, widely
£38.2million in new capital through the share We are also working with the Future Fund on a acknowledged as being a primary source of
offers that were launched in January 2020, number of investments into companies across reagents for the study of emerging diseases.
despite what became a very challenging market our portfolios, including 11 in our direct
environment. In addition, continuing confidence portfolio, to extend investee company liquidity Summary
in our reputation and track record was through to 2021. These results reflect the strength of our diverse
expressed through the additional £54.3million investment platform, albeit currently impacted
allocation from the British Business Bank On 9 July we announced the profitable sale of by COVID-19, and the experienced team that has
(“BBB”) into Mercia’s two existing investment The Native Antigen Company Limited (“NAC”) to managed these investments against a
mandates covering the Northern Powerhouse LGC, a global leader in the life sciences tools deteriorating macroeconomic backdrop. We
region, with £23.7million being allocated to sector, for a total cash consideration of up to remain cautious investors and our focus on
Mercia’s existing NPIF equity fund and £18.0million. Mercia held a 29.4% fully diluted investing in regional companies with moderate
£30.6million to the NPIF debt fund. Shortly direct holding in NAC at the date of sale and will capital needs, where we believe that we can add
thereafter, we were delighted to announce that receive initial cash proceeds of £4.8million, with value, has ensured that as we enter the new
we were accredited by BBB under CBILS, which up to a further £0.4million receivable upon financial year we do so with a well-assembled
enables us to increase our lending to all eligible finalisation of customary closing working capital portfolio of companies that are aware of the
regional SMEs, further underpinning both our calculations. The sale is anticipated to generate challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. We
leadership in regional capital deployment and an 8.4x return on its original direct investment will continue to add selectively to the direct
our Complete Connected Capital model, as we cost and a 65% internal rate of return (“IRR”). investment portfolio over the coming financial
entered the new financial year. year and will continue to support both it and our
fund portfolios, to deliver strong long-term
investment performance for our shareholders
and fund investors.
Julian Viggars
Chief Investment Officer

Our portfolio
Venture
Backing the
businesses
of tomorrow
Venture investing is what Mercia is most well We remain an approved partner to the
known for. The acquisition of the venture British Business Bank (“BBB”), on behalf of
capital trust (“VCT”) fund management which we manage more than £180million of
business of NVM Private Equity LLP solidifies funds. This is an important partnership for
Mercia’s dominant position as an important Mercia and the continued confidence that BBB
provider of venture capital in the regions. has in the Group has been demonstrated by
Post acquisition, we have c.£184million the deed of variation that BBB signed after the
liquidity to invest into the buoyant early-stage financial year end, increasing the fund size by
sector with the added ability to further £23.7million.
support ambitious SME growth with follow-on
funding from the VCTs. We have already The regional venture funds are led by
concluded our first deal alongside Will Clark, Managing Director, Regional
the VCTs. Venture Funds who embodies Mercia’s
proactive approach. By carefully selecting
The addition of the c.60 VCT portfolio niche opportunities, which are often hidden
companies takes Mercia’s managed funds’ in the UK regions, we leverage our networks
portfolio to c.390. to build strong management teams and
accelerate growth for the brightest SMEs in
the regions.
Enquiries
2,704
Total transaction value
£34.4m

Specialist
online retailer
Currentbody is the only specialist online
retailer for home-use beauty devices. Safe,
effective treatments for hair removal,
anti-ageing and skin care allow consumers to
access the same advanced technology used by
professional clinics, but in the comfort of their
Lateral flow own home.
rapid test services Specialist syndication

The home beauty market is now estimated to
Tackling diagnostics has never been so be worth over $4billion. The investment from
important and York-based Abingdon Health Mercia’s VCT business has helped Currentbody
is a good example of one managed fund to grow on a global scale with 11 websites and
portfolio company that has been involved in a joint venture in China with Thakral. More
the fight against COVID-19. It is one of the recently Mercia has been joined by the
founding members of the UK’s rapid test Business Growth Fund to further back
consortium (“UK-RTC") and has led the assay Currentbody’s growth plans.
development programme in partnership with
the University of Oxford.
Healthy investment
Abingdon Health received £1.5million from
Mercia’s NPIF equity fund in January 2019 and
revenue increased by 83% from 2018 to 2019
(calendar year).
Specialist safety
Abingdon Health is using the investment
from Mercia to build out its lateral flow
software provider
development and manufacturing capabilities Health and Safety software provider,
and invest in its AppDx lateral flow reader SHE Software, provides a proprietary platform
technology. It is not just focused on the to improve workplace safety, driving
healthcare sector; it also targets animal substantial cost savings and stronger
health, plant health and environmental compliance compared to traditional systems.
testing, ensuring a diversified and sustainable
target market.
Safety in numbers
The company has won several awards for its
innovative approach and is recognised in the
Verdantix Green Quadrant as a specialist.
Its solution is used by blue-chip customers
including Network Rail and Eddie Stobart as
well as public sector organisations such as the
NHS and several universities.

Our portfolio continued
Private equity
Backing
ambitious
management
teams
Whilst Mercia’s track record in the private equity
space is relatively new compared to its other asset
Since Mercia’s initial investment the
classes, it has generated impressive returns following group has achieved more than four-fold
the launch of its first fund in 2009. growth. With recent international
expansion, electric vehicle
developments and continued
Mercia has a proven strategy with innovation in market-leading products,
well-managed risks: the group’s growth potential is very
›› Successful companies and management
exciting. As a result, all incumbent
teams with long-term growth plans
Woodall Nicholson has been a coachbuilder shareholders have opted to reinvest
›› Focus on aligned interests and strong
working relationships since 1820. It has manufacturing operations in alongside the acquirer, Rutland, to be
›› Incremental improvements to increase the North of England, the Midlands and part of the next stage.
efficiency and reach critical mass Germany in three specialist vehicle divisions:
›› Bringing operational capability to less Mellor and Treka buses, Coleman Milne and Brian Davidson
sophisticated businesses Binz International ceremonial vehicles, Continuing Chairman of
and emergency services. Woodall Nicholson Group.
The team is led by Managing Director,
Mercia PE Funds, Wayne Thomas, a chartered Driving realisation
accountant who joined the Group almost Mercia invested in Woodall Nicholson in 2013 Woodall Nicholson is a great success
15 years ago. in a syndicated transaction and since then for both Mercia’s private equity funds
the investment team, led by Wayne Thomas, and its management team. Brian’s
has been closely involved in developing team has transformed this business
the business. During this time sales at into an innovative, world-leading
Woodall Nicholson have grown by almost specialist vehicle manufacturer which
500% from £20.0million to £95.0million. is growing in Scandinavia, Germany,
Enquiries
the Netherlands, Australia, New
135 The Group’s maiden private equity fund

successfully completed its highest value
exit so far, having sold a stake in the
Zealand and the Far East as well as
in the UK. Mercia’s 9.6x exit from
Woodall Nicholson is the latest in
Greater Manchester-based designers
Total transaction value a series of successful exits for the
and manufacturers of specialist vehicles,
£10.7m
EV Growth Fund, which invests in
Woodall Nicholson Group Limited, at a
multiple of 9.6 times the original
regionally-based UK SMEs, generating
investment. an internal rate of return (“IRR”) of
70% over seven years.
Wayne Thomas
Managing Director, Mercia PE Funds.

Debt finance
Backing
robust
businesses
Mercia provides debt finance to ambitious
small companies. The portfolio’s
characteristics are broad, crossing a range of
business activities from complex, cutting-edge
technology, through to more traditional service
businesses. The one thing that all the debt
Performance exhaust
portfolio companies have in common is that manufacturers
they are led by robust management teams,
committed to growing their businesses. Cobra Sport Performance Exhausts produces
stainless steel sports exhausts and is setting
Mercia’s debt funds are led by Paul Taberner new standards in quality and performance
who is the highly experienced Managing through innovative design and advanced
Director, Mercia Debt Funds. manufacturing techniques.
Deal flow for the debt funds comes from the Powering regional ambitions
investment team’s extensive network with the The business has grown rapidly since its first
regional banking community, with many of investment from Mercia in 2018, expanding
the investment team members themselves its manufacturing capabilities and entering
having previously worked for banks or new markets. Turnover is up by 40% in a
alternative finance lenders. three-year period.
Mercia is a proactive investor; they are

keen to see how we are progressing and
are genuinely interested in the
business, which is refreshing.
Rachel Abbott
CEO, Cobra.
Enquiries
457
Total transaction value
£14.5m

Balance sheet
Trusted
to make a
difference
Mercia’s ‘Complete Connected Capital’ model
means that we can draw upon various pools
of capital, delivering the appropriate levels of Critical
investment at the right time. collaborations
This is exemplified by our direct investments
where we invest our own balance sheet money to
support some of the most promising businesses
from within our managed funds’ portfolios,
offering exciting potential for value growth.
Under the leadership of Managing Director,

Mercia Investments, Angela Warner, we deploy
the combined skills of our investment team and
the Mercia Platform to accelerate the growth of
these young companies.
Total transaction value # of portfolio companies
£17.5m 25
New companies supported

Infectious disease
The Native Antigen Company
fully diluted equity stake
reagents
29.4% Specialises in the development and manufacture

of native and recombinant viral and bacterial
antigens, antibodies and immunoassays, bespoke
product development and custom manufacturing.
Tackling COVID-19 together Sustained success

Two of our direct portfolio companies which Since its founding, the company has grown in
we have backed since seed stage, The Native successive years by 92%, 61%, 25% and 22% and
Antigen Company and OXGENE, have formed is now profitable and self-supporting due to its
a new strategic partnership to scale up sales success.
COVID-19 antigen production. This
partnership has seen both companies working
together towards developing more scalable
technologies for cost-effective infectious
disease reagent production. Mercia has supported us with three initial
rounds of funding, enabling us to grow to
The Native Antigen Company was one of the self-sufficiency. Their advice and support,
first companies to release COVID-19 antigens together with the network of companies
and needed to scale production to meet with related expertise, has been a major
increasing demand. OXGENE has developed a
factor in our success.
proprietary technology that offers a highly
scalable means of protein production, in this
Andy Lane
case COVID-19 antigens. The partnership
Commercial Director, The Native Antigen Company.
seeks large-scale production of high-quality
COVID-19 antigens, which will be a critical step
toward the development of diagnostics and
vaccines for this global challenge.
Mammalian cell
Mercia has supported both companies
since their foundation and we are proud
engineering
of the work they are doing to support Redefines what is possible in mammalian cell
the UK’s response to COVID-19. Even engineering across three core areas: gene therapy,
during these difficult times, we gene editing and antibody therapeutics.
continue to invest in and nurture
early-stage technology businesses that Engineering commercial growth
will find solutions to the major global OXGENE has licensed materials to both chief
challenges we face, both now and in the medical officers and therapeutics manufacturers
future. across the globe, while also reporting the ongoing
success of several service agreements. Revenue
Dr Mark Payton has grown from £2.7million in 2019/20 to
Chief Executive Officer £6.0million this year.
OXGENE fully diluted

equity stake Over the course of this financial year,
30.2%
OXGENE has once again doubled its revenue,
with less than a 50% increase in headcount.
Mercia has continued to support and
encourage us through this year of growth
and transition.
Jocelyne Bath
COO, OXGENE.

Balance sheet
Award-
winning
VR
An award-winning virtual reality (“VR”)
content developer notably winning
‘VR Game of Show’ at E3.
Real progress When we decided to partner with Mercia

During the past 12 months the company has back in 2014 we couldn’t have chosen a
secured two major contracts with leading better partner to support us and help us
global games companies. Revenues grew by scale, as VR moved from being a great idea
over 100% with gross profit up by £1.0million with huge potential to a fast-growing
in the same period. The company continues to entertainment sector with tens of millions
scale rapidly with more than 100 people now
of active users. Major milestones in VR are
working at nDreams. In addition, nDreams’
Phantom: Covert Ops, launched on 25 June
being achieved monthly – from VR games
2020 on the Oculus Rift and Quest. topping the all-formats games charts, to
the first VR game selling over two million
units. Mercia has been there every day,
providing sage advice, supporting us
during the tougher moments and helping
us achieve the ambitious goals towards
which we are all working. Phantom:
Covert Ops is a great demonstration of
the quality team that we are building at
nDreams, and that simply wouldn’t have
been possible without the phenomenal
support of Mercia.
Patrick O’Luanaigh
Founder & CEO, nDreams.

Video
feedback
platform
Voxpopme is a video feedback platform that has reimagined
the way organisations connect with consumers, customers
and employees by facilitating the capture and analysis of
video feedback at scale.
It’s a hugely exciting time for video.

Rapid run rate It has become the pre-eminent medium
The business has demonstrated rapid growth in for communication in all walks of life
both the US and Europe, with recurring revenues which is driving the ever-increasing
having increased over 450% since initial demand for video feedback at the
investment. Customers include many of the world’s leading brands. Leaders in
world’s best-known consumer brands – Kimberly every part of every business want to
Clark, Unilever, Mars, Mondelez, and AB InBev. see, hear and understand the people
about whom they care most. Through
With investment from Mercia’s balance sheet real-time video feedback, Voxpopme
and venture funds in September 2019, gives them the tools they need to build
Voxpopme illustrates the synergies between
connections and empathy, helping to
the funds, even prior to the acquisition of
the VCT fund management business in
make great decisions every day.
December 2019.
Dave Carruthers
Founder & CEO, Voxpopme.

Stakeholder engagement
Section 172
Statement
A key focus of the Board is to promote the success of
the Company for the benefit of its members as a whole,
whilst having regard to those specific matters outlined in
Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the Act’), being:
›› the likely consequences of any decision in The following statement provides For more information and to see how we
the long term; an overview of how the Board promote the success of our Group, the
›› the interest of the Company’s employees; performs its duties. following are examples of our stakeholder
›› the need to foster the Company’s business engagement that have taken place during
relationships with suppliers, customers By the very nature of its activities, Mercia has the financial year in respect of:
and others; always been a business with a long-term
›› the impact of the Company’s operations on focus. As the graphic on page 13 shows, Our colleagues
the community and the environment; backing typically young, technology-led
Pages 39 to 41
›› the desirability of the Company businesses requires patience, knowledge and
maintaining a reputation for high investment/lending expertise. The Board
standards of business conduct; and monitors investment activity across both the
Our owners
›› the need to act fairly between members of Group’s multiple funds and its balance sheet. Pages 39 and 60 to 64
the Company. Generating shareholder and fund investor
returns takes time, but Mercia’s growing track Our fund investors
Throughout this Annual Report and, in record of successful exits and fund IRRs is Pages 26 and 39
particular, the following pages, there are many evidence that its business model is working in
examples of how the Board has regard for the the interests of its investors and investees. Our investee companies
likely consequences of any decision in the
Pages 30 to 37 and 39
long term; the interests of our employees; As a fast-growing group, day-to-day decision
the need to foster relationships with key making and stakeholder engagement is
stakeholders; the impact of our operations delegated to the Executive Directors, Chief Our communities
on the community and environment; and how Operating Officer and other senior employees Pages 42 to 44
the Group maintains a reputation for high through our governance framework and
standards, whilst conducting its business in therefore naturally occurs at an operational
a fair and responsible manner. The key level. However, the Board regularly receives
stakeholders we consider in this respect are and formally meets to discuss information
our people who work for us, our owners, our covering all Group activities, to help it
fund investors, our investee companies, our understand and monitor the impact of the
local communities and those who provide the Group’s operations, as well as the interest and
services we rely on to operate our business. views of key stakeholders.
This information is provided to the Board

through detailed reports and in-person
Investor meetings presentations on a wide range of stakeholder
c.60
related topics. As a result of these activities,
the Board has a good overview of the
outcomes of stakeholder engagement
throughout each financial year, enabling the
Investees’ webinars hosted Directors to comply with their duties under
23
the Act.
For more details on how the Board operates,

including a summary of its key activities
during the year, see pages 60 to 62.

01 02 03
Mercia colleagues Shareholders and Mercia investee

fund investors companies
›› Weekly ‘all company’ Zoom meetings now ›› The timely and accurate dissemination of ›› Actively supporting and managing the
take place as a result of COVID-19, but prior regulatory and non-regulatory information growth of our investees is critical to us as
to this, regular communication across the through the Regulatory News Service an asset manager, demonstrated by the
Group was conducted (and continues) in our ensures that Mercia complies with inclusion of key Mercia team members on
bi-yearly State-of-the-Business update days, transparency legislation and keeps the boards of these businesses. This is
attended by the entire team at Mercia. shareholders updated. further underpinned by the numerous
›› These events are supplemented by the ›› Regular meetings with institutional events that we host to empower these
monthly Mercia Knowledge days that take investors; both shareholders and non- businesses’ management teams and to
place at different regional offices and include shareholders. During the last financial year share business knowledge. We host portfolio
training or expert presentations to support our Executive team attended over 60 days with agendas that include subject
continued learning and knowledge share in meetings and presentations outside of experts as guest speakers, as well as smaller
the business. Mercia’s bi-annual reporting period. tailored workshops, such as our University
›› Yearly away days provide more informal days ›› The Executives have regularly presented Day, to not only actively share best practice,
for the team to engage with one another, at and participated in Q&As hosted by but also to engender improved
as well as with the Executives and senior third-party media outlets for our retail communication across our university
leadership team, to discuss the past year and shareholders. These events took place in the member network.
the next 12 months ahead. key cities in the regions in which we invest to ›› Our webinars, with subjects ranging from
›› Bi-monthly newsletters provide more ensure the team met and networked with as digital prospecting to managing cash flow in
personal news and views, further enhanced many shareholders as possible. In the last times of crisis, are well attended. Since
by Mercia’s Slack channels that are division financial year, five events were attended. lockdown began we have designed and
or practice-led to ensure that critical and ›› The investment teams for both Mercia EIS hosted 23 webinars that were attended by
relevant information is shared across the and the Northern VCTs attended and over 1,100 CEOs, chairs and decision makers
entire Group in a timely manner and easily presented at a number of shareholder and from both our managed funds’ and direct
understood format. intermediary events, including roadshows investment portfolios.
and round tables taking place across the ›› We have sourced and placed 33 non-
regions. Importantly, they attended industry executive directors and chairs on behalf of
conferences and workshops to remain up to our portfolio and equally, developed a
date on industry news and regulations, and dedicated Slack channel and organised a
NEDs placed equally, they presented a range of webinars chair summit event that ensures that our
33
to keep shareholders, fund investors and full network of non-executives have the
advisers abreast of Mercia’s funds’ opportunity to better understand our
performance and portfolio developments. investees’ needs and Mercia’s key business
›› Capital Market Days and Shares seminars decisions and plans.
provide visibility and depth to our ›› Regular newsletters go out to all CEOs, chairs
stakeholder engagement, as these events and owners in both our managed funds’ and
broaden shareholder exposure to a range of direct investment portfolios to keep them
our portfolio businesses as well as the informed of all Mercia developments,
investment team that manages both the business decisions and progress.
funds and the portfolios. ›› Six-monthly Net Promoter Score surveys are
›› Quarterly update presentations are given to conducted to ensure Mercia’s continued
our leading fund limited partners. improvement pathways are better
›› Mercia’s Executive Directors attend the understood and communicated to the
board meetings of the three Northern VCTs portfolio.
by invitation, to provide regular updates on
all matters pertinent to the Northern VCTs.
People, culture and values
Alissia Deane
Investment Associate, O2 team member.
Works within the Northern Powerhouse
Investment Fund – Debt Finance.
A culture of
co-operation
People remain our greatest Our togetherness is reflected in the strong
relationships that we develop both internally
strength. It is our colleagues and externally, in the way we strive to share
continual improvements and development
who chart the course of through knowledge sharing, growth initiatives,
Mercia’s success, guided by outreach programmes and the care we offer to
our colleagues, customers and communities.
their exceptional capabilities
We are known for our healthy competition and
and the values that they we embrace our professional and personal
embrace. ambitions. But we are mindful of the many
voices, needs and aspirations of our colleagues
and seek to offer an inclusive and safe working
#OneMercia is a collective that we have defined
environment that celebrates diversity and
together. Mercia’s culture of co-operation is
offers equality to everyone in Mercia and to all
shaped by our values that support our every
our stakeholders.
decision, underpins each deal and helps to build
the businesses in which we invest. Our core
Importantly, because we build lasting
values thread throughout the Group, reflected
relationships, we take the time to enjoy each
in our appraisal process where adherence to
other’s company at away days, social events
values accounts for 20% of every employee’s
and increasingly online, where we have helped
financial bonus.
each other mitigate the stress of COVID-19
through regular support and social
engagement.

90+ Peter Dines,

employees Chief Operating
Officer
Key to the success of the day-to-day
operations and responsible for all the
Group’s EIS investment activity, Peter
engenders engaged participation across
all teams, regions and projects. He is the
champion of several of our key initiatives
and working groups as well as heading up the
VCT and EIS subsidiary of Mercia. Peter joined
the Group in 2015 as Head of Life Sciences &
Biosciences, with over 20 years’ experience in
this sector, and became Chief Operating
Officer in 2018.
#OneMercia
Collaborating for
sustained growth
O2 is a working group of engaged colleagues
that supports improved business processes
and offers a broader range of insights to
Mercia’s senior leadership team. Critical to the
sustained success of Mercia, this group offers
the benefits of its diverse opinions, ideas and
points of view that might sometimes be lost in
a more hierarchical business. The members of
this group not only provide better vertical
channels of communication to support
understanding and implementation of
Mercia’s strategy, they are also very proactive
in providing new initiatives or insights that will
shape future strategy. Many of the members of
8
the group will choose to progress to senior
roles within the business, as part of Mercia’s
succession planning.
offices across the UK

People, culture and values continued
Mercia Spirit
Empowering people within the business to act
for the causes that matter to them, combined
with the ‘can-do’ attitude that exists amongst
colleagues, ensured that the Mercia Spirit
programme exceeded all expectations in its Courtney Yeoman
Facilities Co-ordinator &
second year. Executive Assistant and
project lead for Mercia Spirit.
The total amount raised in the year for Cancer
Research UK was £20,597. This was achieved
through the collective efforts of every
colleague who provided their own time,
ingenuity and occasionally sweat and tears to
contribute to a charity that was chosen
because of the impact that cancer has had on
colleagues or their immediate families.
Money raised was as a result of half-

marathons run, mountains climbed, hikes,
quizzes, horse races, bake sales and the
expert craftsmanship of one colleague who
c.£21k
Raised by Mercia Spirit
made a range of carved and handcrafted
wooden items.
The Skills Builder Partnership, designed to

help school students build key skills and be
better prepared to enter the workplace, was
another important initiative that colleagues
were keen to support during the year. We
welcomed numerous groups of young people
to Mercia throughout the course of the year,
spending time to orientate them in the
workplace and share business insights and
best practice, as part of the process to help
them transition to a full-time career. We also
welcomed students from various schools in
our local communities as part of their work
experience programmes; this quickly became
a knowledge exchange opportunity, as the
Mercia team benefitted from digital skills
shared by the students.
Ella Cuthbert
Assistant Accountant,
Finance.
Pete Sorsby
Investment Director,
NPIF – Debt Finance.

Living our values

Being responsive:
Growth focused: #wfh
We seek to optimise Mercia’s value of responsiveness is in no
performance at an individual, better way exemplified than in the context
team, Group and investee level. of COVID-19 and the working from home
initiative more fondly known within Mercia
as #wfh.
Responsive:
The smooth transition of over 90 colleagues
We think deeply, always meeting
from an office-based working environment to
commitments and aiming to
dining room tables, bedrooms, sunrooms and
exceed expectations.
home offices was not just testament to our
contingency planning and long-term use of
Knowledgeable: tools such as Slack and Zoom, but equally,
the assuredness of every member that all the
We are recognised as experts in necessary adjustments required to work
our field, sharing knowledge for tirelessly to support our portfolio companies
the benefit of others. and protect long-term value for our investors
could be navigated with ease. All aspects of
the unfolding effects and impact of the
Trusted: pandemic were monitored and reported on by
We are trusted partners, known the COVID-19 working group that met three
for being honest, professional, times a week.
reliable and fair.
The Slack channel #wfh became the focal
point for colleagues to offer each other moral
support using humour, challenges and more
informal communications to sustain the
commitment and resilience of the team. This
was underpinned by the various touchpoints
both online and offline that sought to reassure
and offer peace of mind to colleagues. Zoom
has been pivotal as a platform for morning
‘huddles’, weekly company-wide meetings
that saw nearly 80 colleagues in a mosaic of
videos listening and sharing both professional
and personal updates, weekly family and
friends quizzes as well as a virtual ‘pub’ on a
Friday evening. A series of home-delivered
gifts reminded everyone how important they
are and how much Mercia appreciates both
them and their families.
Training hours Mercia Knowledge

1,929 Driving continual improvement, cost savings
and efficiencies are central to Mercia’s digital
transformation that also translates across
been undertaken including Mercia’s systems,
migration to the Cloud, customer relationship
management and asset management system
enhanced data capture, curation and development that is bespoke to Mercia and
analytics. This entire remit falls to Mercia’s which provides improved data management
Knowledge team which, like O2, is a working and reporting, the recruitment of a full-time
group that has representatives from all data scientist, adoption of digital marketing
Mercia’s offices and functions across the UK to and sales software and, critically, the
ensure that a ‘whole Mercia’ approach is integration of the VCT investment team,
adopted. A range of successful initiatives has post acquisition.

Responsible business
Responsible
investment through
environmental, social
and governance awareness
Mercia has a long history of making a positive impact in the regions that is as much
a representation of our core corporate values as it is a financial return motivation. We are
committed to evolving our Responsible Investment agenda, guided by the UN’s Principles
for Responsible Investment (“PRI”), because we recognise that good environmental, social
and governance (“ESG”) awareness is associated with better business performance.
Environmental Social Governance

Protecting the world around us Protecting our people Careful control of our assets
Comprehensive environmental management Good social awareness is at the heart of Mercia; As an AIM-listed business, good governance is
is an important item on Mercia’s agenda. it drives our culture and determines both the critical and Mercia has a robust team that
Mercia considers both the environmental type of people we recruit and the companies in enforces every element of this.
impact of its own activities and those of its which we choose to invest. We have a diverse
investment portfolio. team (40% of the Mercia team is female, We are diligent in both our internal governance
nearly 30% making up the investment team). and that of our portfolio of investee
Our interest in clean technology has led to companies where we take an active role in
investments in businesses which address We are proud of our regional presence with ensuring each business has good stewardship.
this very topic. Investee companies which 426 jobs being created in this financial
exemplify this include Faradion, which is year alone. Our core corporate values have provided
developing a sodium-ion battery technology transparency for investors and includes a
resulting in cheaper, cleaner energy, and We look to the future of the Group through the non-financial dimension which focuses on
Aceleron, which is developing a lithium battery implementation of our O2 team. This is run by long-term growth for our investment practice.
with a longer lifetime and turning waste battery a cohort of employees, thus ensuring that
components into second-hand batteries. every voice across our organisation is heard Our pre-investment procedures encapsulate
and able to drive improvements through the our standpoint around business ethics,
We have undertaken our own digital empowerment of teams. Our O2 team acts incorporating anti-bribery and corruption
transformation to improve our efficiencies as a shadow board, challenging ideas and policies, in which all our employees are trained
and lessen our travel, paper consumption and driving innovation. and monitored. We are also insistent that our
energy costs. Our Mercia Knowledge steers equity portfolio companies have similar
this digital-first agenda to deliver continuous policies in place around equal opportunities,
improvements and practices. health and safety, and a range of other
regulatory matters.

We spoke to Dr Mark Payton (CEO),

Julian Viggars (CIO) and
Q
Jill Williams (Investment Director)
about what being a responsible
business really means.
How do you plan to develop What will this entail?

your strategy to incorporate Jill Williams: This coming year
environmental, social and we will increase training for the
governance issues (“ESG”) investment team on ESG related
into your investment risks and opportunities. We will
decisions and portfolio clearly define processes and
management strategies? increase visibility of ESG within
the investment decision making
Dr Mark Payton: This will be a process; for example, seeking
journey, with attainment on an thoughts on ESG at deal appraisal,
increasing basis across the including ESG in investment papers
investment cycle, from deal and committee discussions, as well
origination and assessment, as embracing the monitoring and
through ownership and towards review of ESG, developing key
realisation. performance indicators and
targets. We have started this
&
In the medium term we will process by my appointment as ESG
increase ESG consideration in our project leader, and the training that
investment analysis and decisions
I’ve undertaken with the British
both pre and post investment – this Private Equity & Venture Capital
will embed a unified approach and Association (“BVCA”).
measures across the investment
process, through deal sourcing and
A
due diligence, then ownership
How will this translate
and exit.
across your portfolio?
Jill Williams: We have reviewed Julian Viggars: This will have to be
the UN’s PRI which are a voluntary driven by the portfolio companies’
and aspirational set of investment management teams, assisted by
principles that offer a menu of Mercia. We will support these teams
possible actions for incorporating with the development of ongoing
ESG issues into investment consideration post investment at
practice. This provides a globally- board level. We would like to see
accepted framework and ESG ESG on the board agendas because
roadmap; in the longer term, we we know that managing compliance
would like to think that this journey and risk is aligned with managing
results in us becoming a signatory for value and should therefore
to the PRI. lead to strategic advantage. This
increased focus will allow both
the portfolio and Mercia to create
and protect value, ultimately, we
believe, generating market-leading
returns.

Chief Financial Officer’s review
The Group is now trading

profitably as a result of its
fund management activities,
providing further positive
momentum for the Group’s
future prospects.

A year of
considerable positive
operational change
and progress
Notwithstanding the arrival of COVID-19 and
its near-term impact on UK businesses,
including many of those companies making Net revenues
£0.1m
up the Group’s direct investment portfolio,
the year to 31 March 2020 has been one of
considerable positive operational change 2019: £1.4m net expenses
and progress for Mercia Asset Management
PLC, not least in its transition from annual Net assets
net expenses to net revenues one year

ahead of plan. £141.5m
2019: £126.1m
Also notable amongst these positive
changes were the successful £30.0million Unrestricted cash
placing and the acquisition of the venture

capital trust (“VCT”) fund management
business of NVM Private Equity LLP (“NVM”)
£30.2m
2019: £29.8m
in December 2019.

Chief Financial Officer’s review continued
Placing of 120,000,000 shares raising £30.0million gross proceeds (‘Placing’)

On 3 December 2019 Mercia announced a conditional placing of, in aggregate, 120,000,000 Placing shares at 25.0 pence per Placing share. Shareholders
overwhelmingly approved the Placing at a General Meeting held on 20 December 2019 and the new shares were admitted to trading on AIM on
23 December 2019. Placing commission and related expenses totalled £1.9million gross.
The net proceeds of the Placing were used to fund the cash component of the initial consideration and related transaction expenses in respect of the
acquisition of NVM's VCT fund management business. In addition, the proceeds provide further balance sheet capital to enable the Group to continue to
selectively invest in its existing balance sheet direct investments, as well as new direct investments which currently sit within its third-party managed
funds, that are expected to deliver attractive returns in the future.
Acquisition of the VCT fund management business of NVM Private Equity LLP
On 23 December 2019 Mercia completed the acquisition of the VCT fund management business of NVM Private Equity LLP, which consisted of the
acquisition of three fund management contracts ('the Northern VCT contracts') and the transfer of NVM's VCT investment team, for a total maximum
consideration of £25.0million, comprising a combination of cash and new Ordinary Mercia shares. The initial consideration was £16.6million, comprising
£12.4million in cash which was satisfied on completion and £4.2million which was satisfied by the issue of 16,800,000 initial consideration shares at a
price of 25.0 pence per share, being the same as the Placing price. The initial consideration shares were admitted to trading on AIM on 27 December 2019.
Deferred consideration of up to £8.4million will also be payable, contingent upon certain conditions being met. The deferred consideration comprises
£6.3million in cash, payable in three equal instalments on the first, second and third anniversaries of completion, provided that no termination notice has
been served by any of the three Northern VCTs before each respective anniversary payment date, and £2.1million payable in new Ordinary Mercia shares.
50% of the deferred consideration shares will be payable if the Group has received at least £16.0million of fees in respect of the VCT fund management
contracts during the three years post completion. The remaining 50% of the deferred consideration shares will be allotted and issued if, during the same
three-year period, the three Northern VCTs collectively raise at least £60.0million in new capital. If either or both of these conditions are met, the number
of new Ordinary shares to be issued to satisfy the deferred share consideration will be calculated based on the average of the daily closing mid-market
price for an Ordinary Mercia share, for each of the five days immediately preceding the date of issue.
Summarised consolidated financial statements

The consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2020 summarised below include just over three months of trading for the acquired
business, which has been integrated within Mercia during the first 100 days of ownership.
Summarised consolidated statement of comprehensive income

Year ended Year ended
31 March 31 March
2020 2019
£’000 £’000
Revenue 12,747 10,675

Other administrative expenses (12,661) (12,115)
Net revenues/(expenses) 86 (1,440)
Fair value movements in investments (15,844) 3,916
Share-based payments charge (528) (171)
Amortisation of intangible assets (852) (301)
Operating (loss)/profit before exceptional items (17,138) 2,004
Exceptional items (695) –
Net finance income 220 562
Taxation 159 54
(Loss)/profit and total comprehensive (loss)/income for the financial year (17,454) 2,620
Basic and diluted (loss)/earnings per Ordinary share (pence) (5.11) 0.86
Notwithstanding the near-term impact of COVID-19 on direct portfolio fair values, Mercia continues to have strong liquidity, is now operating
profitably (before fair value movements, realised gains and all non-cash charges) and has a direct investment portfolio from which to drive future
increases in both earnings per share and net asset value per share.
Revenue increased 19.4% to £12.7million (2019: £10.7million). The Group’s revenue increase was largely due to the post-acquisition contribution of
the acquired VCT fund management business.
Staff and administrative expenses increased by 4.5% to £12.7million (2019: £12.1million). The overall increase in these costs was due to the
inclusion of the post-acquisition operating costs of the acquired VCT fund management business.
Net revenues increased by £1.5million compared with 2019 (net expenses) largely, although not exclusively, as a result of the
overall post-acquisition contribution of the VCT fund management business.
During the year, the Group invested £17.5million (2019: £19.4million) into 17 existing and one new direct investment (2019: 15 and two respectively). It also
received investee company loan repayments totalling £1.8million (2019: £1.7million). Direct investment momentum has been positive at the start of the
new financial year and is expected to selectively continue into both existing and new direct investments.

Net fair value decreases during the year totalled £15.8million (2019: £3.9million increase) and as at 31 March 2020 the fair value of the Group’s direct
investment portfolio was £87.5million (2019: £87.7million). This decrease was predominantly due to the near-term impact of COVID-19 on direct
investment portfolio fair values, details of which are given in the Chief Investment Officer’s review on pages 24 to 29.
Net assets at the year end were £141.5million (2019: £126.1million) resulting in an overall decrease in net assets per share (being net assets of
£141.5million divided by 440,109,707 shares in issue) to 32.1 pence (2019: 41.6 pence, being net assets of £126.1million divided by 303,309,707 shares in
issue). This reduction has been due to the dilutive effect of the Placing and the decrease in the fair value of the direct investment portfolio, due
predominantly to the impact of COVID-19.
Within net assets, cash and short-term liquidity investments totalled £30.7million (2019: £30.4million), including £0.5million of cash held on behalf of
third-party EIS investors (2019: £0.6million).
The net fair value decrease contributed materially to result in an overall consolidated total comprehensive loss for the year of £17.5million (2019:
£2.6million profit). This in turn has resulted in a loss per Ordinary share of 5.11 pence (2019: 0.86 pence earnings).
Alternative performance measures

The Group has always believed that the measurement and reporting of both ‘net revenues/(expenses)’ and ‘net asset value per share’ are important
alternative performance measures of interest to investors. The reporting of net revenues/(expenses) enables a clear understanding of the impact of the
Group’s operating model on net asset value enhancement or erosion, particularly historically where operating costs have exceeded revenue.
From 1 April 2020 the Group will substitute ‘adjusted operating profit’ for net revenues/(expenses), as it is a more generally recognised alternative
performance measure for specialist asset managers. From Mercia’s perspective and for comparison purposes, the difference between the measurement
of net revenues/(expenses) and adjusted operating profit is that adjusted operating profit will include net finance income and exclude depreciation. Had
Mercia adopted this alternative performance measure for the year ended 31 March 2020 it would have resulted in adjusted operating profit of £0.5million
(2019: £0.8million loss). The table below provides a bridge between the two alternative performance measures for the years ended 31 March 2020 and
31 March 2019.
31 March 31 March
2020 2019
£’000 £’000
Revenue 12,747 10,675

Depreciation 212 84
Net finance income 220 562
Adjusted operating profit/(loss) before exceptional items 518 (794)
The table below provides a reconciliation from adjusted operating profit/(loss) to operating profit/(loss) before exceptional items for the years
ended 31 March 2020 and 31 March 2019.
31 March 31 March
2020 2019
£’000 £’000
Adjusted operating profit/(loss) before exceptional items 518 (794)

Depreciation (212) (84)
Net finance income (220) (562)
Fair value movements in investments (15,844) 3,916
Share-based payments charge (528) (171)
Amortisation of intangible assets (852) (301)
Operating profit/(loss) before exceptional items (17,138) 2,004
Similarly, the reporting of net asset value per share provides an indication of the overall progress that the Group is making in terms of shareholder
value creation over the medium term. Where there is a difference between net asset value per share and the Group’s share price, that difference
represents either a discount or premium to Mercia’s net asset value.
Goodwill and acquired intangible assets

The consolidated balance sheet includes goodwill of £16.6million (2019: £10.3million) and acquired intangible assets of £20.1million (2019:
£0.6million). £6.3million of the goodwill and £19.8million of the intangible assets value arose as a result of the Group’s acquisition of the VCT fund
management business in December 2019. £7.9million (2019: £7.9million) of the goodwill and £0.3million of the intangible assets value arose as a
result of the Group’s acquisition of Enterprise Ventures Group Limited in March 2016. The balance of the goodwill arose on the acquisition of Mercia
Fund Management Limited in December 2014. The intangible assets are separately identifiable assets arising from the VCT fund management
contracts with Northern Venture Trust PLC, Northern 2 VCT PLC and Northern 3 VCT PLC (the ‘Northern VCT Contracts’) and Enterprise Ventures’
fund management contracts (the ‘EV Contracts’). The fair value of the Northern VCT Contracts’ intangible assets is being amortised on a straight-
line basis over 10 years. The fair value of the EV Contracts are being amortised on a straight-line basis over the average duration of the remaining

Chief Financial Officer’s review continued
fund management contracts from the date of acquisition. The total amortisation charge of £852,000 (2019: £301,000) in the consolidated
statement of comprehensive income represents the amortisation for the year ended 31 March 2020. £551,000 of the total charge relates to the
Northern VCT Contracts with the balance relating to the EV Contracts.
Revenue
Total revenue of £12,747,000 (2019: £10,675,000) comprised fund management fees, initial management fees from new investments, investment
director monitoring fees and sundry business services income.
Other administrative expenses

Total other administrative expenses of £12,661,000 (2019: £12,115,000) consisted of all staff related, office, marketing and professional
adviser costs.
Net revenues
Net revenues of £86,000 (2019: £1,440,000 net expenses) represents total revenue less all staff and administrative expenses.
Fair value movements in investments

31 March 31 March
2020 2019
£’000 £’000
Investment movements excluding cash invested:

Unrealised gains on the revaluation of investments 3,351 8,622
Unrealised losses on the revaluation of investments (19,195) (4,706)
Net fair value (loss)/gain (15,844) 3,916
For the year as a whole, unrealised fair value gains arose in four (2019: 12) of the Group’s 25 (2019: 26) direct investments. The largest fair value
gain, being Oxford Genetics (trading as OXGENE), was £1,582,000. There were 10 (2019: three) fair value decreases, the largest being £5,313,000 for
Warwick Acoustics, predominantly due to the current impact of COVID-19 on asset values in general. The reduction in overall fair values for the
year as a whole was 15.3%, measured by expressing the net fair value unrealised loss as a percentage of the opening fair value of the direct
investment portfolio plus the net cash invested during the year (2019: 4.7% increase). For the vast majority of the direct investment portfolio we
anticipate a recovery in fair values over time.
Share-based payments charge

The £528,000 (2019: £171,000) non-cash charge arises from the issue of share options to Executive Directors and other employees of the Group
ranging from 24 April 2017 to 31 March 2020.
Amortisation of intangible assets

The amortisation charge of £852,000 (2019: £301,000) represents the amortisation of the acquired intangible assets of the Northern VCT Contracts
and the EV Contracts for the year ended 31 March 2020.
Exceptional items
During the year the Group incurred exceptional costs of £695,000 (2019: £nil). Of this total, £297,000 are transaction costs incurred in relation to the
acquisition of the VCT fund management business. The balance of £398,000 are staff related costs incurred in connection with a restructuring
which took place in March 2020. The transaction costs and staff related costs are exceptional non-trading and non-recurring costs and have
therefore been accounted for as exceptional items.
Net finance income

Finance income of £246,000 (2019: £562,000) comprised loan interest and redemption premiums received on loans repaid by investee companies
during the year, as well as interest receivable earned on the Group’s cash and short-term liquidity investments.
Finance costs of £26,000 (2019: £nil) comprised interest payable on leases, arising from the application of IFRS 16, ‘Leases’.
Taxation
The tax credit of £159,000 (2019: £54,000) represents the annual unwinding of the deferred tax liability recognised in respect of the intangible
assets which arose on the acquisition of both the Northern VCT Contracts and the EV Contracts.
Balance sheet and cash flows

Net assets at the year end of £141,460,000 (2019: £126,065,000) were predominantly made up of the Group’s direct investment portfolio, together
with cash and short-term liquidity investments. The Group continues to have limited working capital needs due to the nature of its business.

Direct investment portfolio

At the latter end of the year Mercia’s direct investment portfolio declined in fair value to £87,471,000 (2019: £87,659,000). The table below lists the
Group’s investments by value as at 31 March 2020, including a breakdown of the net cash invested during the year, fair value movements for the
year as a whole and the fully diluted equity percentage of each investee company owned.
Investment Net cash Fair value Investment Percentage
value invested movement value held
As at Year to Year to As at As at
1 April 31 March 31 March 31 March 31 March
2019 2020 2020 2020 2020
£’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 %
nDreams Ltd 15,120 1,000 – 16,120 36.4

Oxford Genetics Ltd t/a OXGENE 10,161 – 1,582 11,743 30.2
Intechnica Ltd 6,677 500 – 7,177 27.5
Medherant Ltd 5,205 1,500 – 6,705 30.1
Voxpopme Ltd 3,026 2,000 1,004 6,030 17.1
Ton UK Ltd t/a Intelligent Positioning 5,473 400 1,519 4,354 28.2
Impression Technologies Ltd 5,381 2,000 (3,087) 4,294 25.9
Faradion Ltd 3,525 500 – 4,025 16.5
Warwick Acoustics Ltd 7,904 1,065 (5,313) 3,656 52.9
The Native Antigen Company Ltd 2,863 – 630 3,493 29.4
Soccer Manager Ltd 2,099 300 135 2,534 34.8
Edge Case Games Ltd 2,300 – – 2,300 21.2
Locate Bio Ltd 500 1,750 – 2,250 17.4
VirtTrade Ltd t/a Avid Games 3,938 550 (2,288) 2,200 25.8
PsiOxus Therapeutics Ltd 2,377 160 (344) 2,193 1.4
sureCore Ltd 1,834 333 – 2,167 22.0
W2 Global Data Solutions Ltd 2,000 – – 2,000 15.2
Eyoto Group Ltd 1,755 875 (878) 1,752 15.7
One Touch Apps Ltd t/a Clear Review – 500 – 500 3.9
Concepta PLC 1,133 750 (1,408) 475 22.4
Other direct investments 4,388 1,473 (4,358) 1,503 n/a
Total 87,659 15,656 15,844 87,471 n/a
Investee company loan repayments

Mercia is focused on creating shareholder value through its asset management operations, including investment in, development of and at the
appropriate time, exit from (predominantly through trade sales) its direct investments. The Group supports its direct investments via both equity
and loan instruments. During the year loan repayments of £1.8million (2019: £1.7million) were received by Mercia from Impression Technologies,
Warwick Acoustics and Crowd Reactive.
Cash and short-term liquidity investments

At the year end Mercia had total cash and short-term liquidity investments of £30,653,000 (2019: £30,398,000) comprising cash of £24,438,000
(2019: £25,210,000) and short-term liquidity investments of £6,215,000 (2019: £5,188,000), including £467,000 (2019: £629,000) of cash held on
behalf of third-party EIS investors. The overriding emphasis of the Group’s treasury policy remains the preservation of its shareholders’ cash for
investment and working capital purposes, not yield. At the year end the Group’s cash and short-term liquidity investments (which is cash on
deposit with maturities between three and six months) were spread across four leading United Kingdom banks.
The summarised movement in the Group’s cash position during the year is shown below.
31 March 31 March
2020 2019
£’000 £’000
Opening cash and short-term liquidity investments 30,398 52,908

Net cash generated from/(used in) operating activities 136 (5,080)
Net cash used in direct and certain other investing activities (15,456) (17,234)
Purchase of management contracts (12,400) –
Issue of new Ordinary share capital for cash 30,000 –
Ordinary share capital issue costs (1,879) –
Net cash used in other financing activities (146) (196)
Cash and short-term liquidity investments at the year end 30,653 30,398
Notwithstanding the near-term impact of COVID-19 on asset values and revenues which are directly linked to asset values, Mercia has made
significant positive progress during the year. Once the impact of the pandemic subsides, the underlying potential of the Group’s balance sheet
portfolio and deal flow pipeline via its managed funds will re-emerge, providing positive momentum for the Group’s future prospects.
Martin Glanfield
Chief Financial Officer Mercia Asset Management PLC
Principal risks and uncertainties
Risk management framework

The Board considers that the risks detailed in During the year Mercia has continued to build
this Annual Report represent the key potential on its risk management framework with a
obstacles to achieving the Group’s strategic specific focus on risks and opportunities
objectives. The key controls over the Group’s associated with the Group’s successful
principal risks are documented in Mercia’s risk acquisition of the VCT fund management
register, which includes an assessment of the business of NVM Private Equity LLP. More
risk, likelihood of occurrence, severity of latterly, focus has been on the range of
impact and mitigating actions. An assessment significant risks associated with COVID-19. The
of the strength of mitigating controls pandemic and its effects will potentially impact
determines the net risk score and any further all risks and, where appropriate, we have noted
actions required. below the impacts that we believe are
potentially the most severe.
The Group considers identified risks under
three main categories with sub-categories as We have continued our focus on regulatory
appropriate: compliance and implementation of the Senior
Managers and Certification Regime (“SMCR”).
Internal – including the Group’s strategy and Focus has also been maintained on
business planning. cybersecurity, effective talent management
and internal audits on investment activity. The
External – including competitor risk, Board has also considered the possible effects,
regulatory and legal risk, and force majeure on the Group and on its investee companies, of
eg pandemic risk from COVID-19. the United Kingdom’s exit from the European
Union without a trade deal in place. The risk
Operational – including internal systems management framework has been further
and controls, people and talent risk, and strengthened through the Senior Management
compliance risks such as financial crime. Team escalating new, emerging or increased
risk exposure to the Executive Team, together
The Board monitors, evaluates and mitigates with the Group’s Compliance Director
risks to ensure that appropriate measures are communicating directly with the Audit and Risk
in place to minimise the likely occurrence and Committee and ultimately, the Board.
impact of those risks identified.
The Group’s principal risks and uncertainties,
There may be additional risks and uncertainties their possible consequences and mitigating
that are not known to the Board and there are actions are set out in the following pages.
risks and uncertainties which are currently
deemed to be less material, which may also
adversely impact performance and thus are
monitored within the Group’s risk management
framework. The framework provides
reasonable, but not absolute, assurance that
principal risks are managed to an acceptable
level, whilst also acknowledging the fact that
the specialist asset management sectors in
which Mercia operates have investment risk
inherent within them. Mercia’s risk framework
is therefore constructed so as to identify and
navigate the inherent downside risks, whilst
seeking to exploit upside risk, particularly when
investing in young companies.

Risk Possible consequences Mitigation
The risk of the COVID-19 pandemic Staff welfare issues, due to direct illness, family Mercia tested its remote working capability for all staff under its business continuity
affecting staff, operational services illness and/or bereavement, potential stresses due policy and procedures ahead of the formal lockdown and has been able to move
to portfolio companies and to isolation. Impact on the operational efficiency of seamlessly to working from home. Staff welfare is kept high on the agenda of the
business development. the Group. Executive Team and morale is being maintained through the use of Zoom and
Slack for meetings, social interaction and supporting information sharing. Mental
Market falls and risks to portfolio Risk to the valuation of funds and VCT portfolios
wellbeing amongst staff is also being monitored and tools such as Headspace,
companies affect valuations managed by Mercia regulated entities, as well as
the meditation app, have been offered to all staff.
and net asset values which general market falls impact on direct investment fair
impacts asset price related fund values. A COVID-19 working group was formed, which initially met daily before moving to
management revenues. Impact on weekly, to maintain an appropriate consensus of necessary actions.
Increased risk of portfolio valuation reductions and/
portfolio companies individually,
or failures and consequent reduction in revenues Portfolio valuations have been reviewed and fair values amended where required.
leading to failures and loss of
from fund management contracts and portfolio Mercia has organised briefings and webinars to assist portfolio companies and
revenues as a consequence.
companies. has made use of existing forums, such as the Mercia Slack channel, exclusively for
portfolio company CEOs.
Opportunity loss where remote working reduces the
ability to source and assess new opportunities for We have drawn on our networks and worked across funds, using technology to
investment. facilitate meetings in order to maintain deal flow.
Mercia’s budget for the year ending 31 March 2021 has been reviewed in light of the
changing conditions and the revised budget has been approved by the Board.
Mercia will be carefully considering the Government strategy for easing the
lockdown to identify the appropriate path to returning to office working and
business travel as and when appropriate and safe to do so.
The acquisition and integration of Potential failure to undertake appropriate due The risks and consequences of failure to integrate the VCT business were carefully
the VCT fund management business diligence; failure to identify and maximise the value considered through detailed due diligence and detailed integration planning before
of NVM Private Equity LLP may not drivers for the transaction including the synergies the acquisition, with involvement of a team of senior staff and external advisers.
turn out to be successful and may between the teams and portfolios; inability to raise
The TSA between Mercia and NVM, in place until 30 September 2021, reduces the
not deliver enhanced shareholder future VCT funds; failure to identify the key functions
risks associated with the handover of key processes.
value over the medium term. required to be covered under the transitional
services agreement (“TSA”). Mercia completed its 100-day plan in the period immediately after acquisition and
Successful delivery and transfer,
will be creating a 365-day transition plan for the final year of the TSA.
over the transition period, of VCT Residual risks and potential consequences, post-
governance and support services acquisition, included the failure to appropriately Post acquisition integration has focused on:
including the key processes to manage the TSA and ensure continuity and standard • people and culture: internal communications, training and social events
ensure continuity of VCT eligibility. of services delivered to the three VCTs; the risks of (prior to lockdown);
not managing a successful integration of the VCT • integration of key staff into management structures;
Retention of the fund management
team members into Mercia; and building a strong • investment processes and protocols;
contracts for the VCTs.
and successful relationship with the VCT boards and • oversight and monitoring of the services provided by NVM to Mercia under
In the near term, the economic indirectly with their investors. the TSA;
consequences of COVID-19 are • Board and Executive level engagement between Mercia and the VCT boards; and
negatively impacting asset prices. • new co-investment agreement.
Revenues derived from the three VCT
fund management contracts are in
part linked to VCT net asset values.
Where their portfolio company fair
values have fallen, so to an extent
will the revenues received by Mercia
from those contracts.
Rosie Bhattacharjee
Group Compliance Director.

Principal risks and uncertainties continued
The Group now has c.£658million The loss of one or more of the contracts due to Dedicated investment teams operate in respect of each asset class and in many
of funds under management and poor performance or other irreconcilable LP/ cases, each fund mandate. Senior managers oversee both fund performance and
derives the majority of its revenues GP differences could have a material impact client relationships. Detailed quarterly reports are issued for most funds.
under fund management contracts on the trading performance of the Group and
Investment committees provide robust review of all proposed investments.
linked to each specific fund. reputationally, its future ability to successfully tender
for new contracts. The Group’s compliance function monitors adherence to investment procedures.
The Board oversees the Group’s fund management operations, performance and
client relations.
The majority of the direct Early-stage technology companies may not be All of the Group’s direct investments are companies which have emerged from
investment portfolio comprises able to attract and retain appropriately skilled and the funds managed by the Group’s fund management operations. The funds have
businesses at a relatively early experienced staff; they may not be able to attract a fail fast policy, which means that early-stage businesses which do not achieve
stage in their development and sufficient funding to achieve their commercial commercial traction within a reasonable time frame are not further supported.
as a result carry inherent risks, objectives; their technology niche may be overtaken
In addition, the ‘real-time’ due diligence being undertaken by the Group’s
including technical and commercial by competing technologies or may not achieve
investment teams during an investee company’s early stage of development means
risks. Typically such companies commercial traction; take-up of their product or
that Mercia is already familiar with the business, its commercial prospects and
are developing new or disrupting service offering in their chosen markets may not
its management team before it is presented to the Group’s Board (which acts as
existing technologies and breaking occur at levels sufficient to generate positive cash
Mercia’s investment committee) with a recommendation for direct investment.
new ground commercially. flows and create shareholder value.
This process of review reduces, although does not eliminate, the risk of direct
Portfolio companies’ risks have The length of time taken for these companies to
investment failure, particularly in the current pandemic-induced economic climate.
been affected both positively arrive at success or failure may be protracted, placing
and negatively by the COVID-19 them under severe pressure to maintain the financial For all of Mercia’s direct investment portfolio companies, the Group continues to
pandemic, with some companies support required over a sustained period of time. assess their near-term funding and other requirements and will continue to provide
actively engaged in the development relevant support where needed and appropriate.
of testing solutions.
The value of the Group’s direct A large proportion of the overall value of the direct The Group seeks to balance the total portfolio by quantum and value, as the total
investment portfolio may be investment portfolio may at any time be accounted number of direct investments and their values grow over time. The current portfolio
dominated by a single or limited for by one or very few companies. There is a risk continues to be well balanced. However, it is the Group’s expectation that from
number of companies. that one or more of the portfolio businesses will time to time, depending on economic conditions, the speed of development of
experience financial difficulties, become insolvent portfolio companies and the attractiveness of certain technology sectors, there may
Portfolio company fair values
or suffer from poor market conditions (including the be investments, and therefore specific sectors, eg Life Sciences & Biosciences, that
have been affected both
current pandemic) and if, as a result, their values dominate the total portfolio by value.
positively and negatively by the
were to be adversely affected, this would have a
COVID-19 pandemic, with some The specific direct investment areas on which Mercia focuses are kept under review
materially detrimental effect on the overall value of
companies actively engaged in the and it is possible that the Group’s areas of investment focus and expertise may
the Group’s investment portfolio and skew fair value
development of testing solutions, evolve over time. Details of the mitigating actions taken by the Group in respect of
concentration into a smaller number of companies.
whilst others have seen their end- the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its portfolio companies are included in the
Currently, the top five direct investments represent
user markets significantly curtailed Chief Investment Officer’s review on pages 24 to 29.
54.6% of the total portfolio by value.
in the near to medium term.
Proceeds from the trade sale or Large possible cash flow variations could have a Mercia raised further funds, partly for direct investment, in December 2019 and is
IPO of direct investments may vary materially adverse effect on the financial condition well capitalised.
substantially from year to year. and prospects of the Group.
A number of Mercia’s direct investments could be sold to maintain sufficient
As a result, the Group may not A shortage of available capital for direct investment liquidity.
be able to meet future financial and operating purposes would necessitate a change
The Group is also now profitable in its day-to-day operating activities and is
obligations or future growth may in strategy to one of capital conservation.
generating operating cash inflow. It is therefore no longer having to make use of its
not occur because of an inability
cash balances to fund its day-to-day operating activities.
to raise additional balance sheet
capital if required.
The Group and its portfolio The Group operates a direct investment model and The Group focuses its investment activities predominantly on the historically
companies are subject to may find itself in competition when new investment underserved regions of the United Kingdom, where competition for investing in
competition risk. opportunities arise. In addition, the direct new technology companies is less fierce. Companies in which the Group invests
investment portfolio businesses are predominantly are chosen because they are in large growth markets, have developed disruptive
focused on the technology sector, which is intensely technologies and have already achieved commercial traction.
competitive on a global scale. Many of the portfolio
businesses’ competitors have greater financial,
technical and other resources. Competition in the
technology sector could materially adversely affect
the prospects, financial condition and results of
operations of direct investment portfolio companies.
The Group may not be able to The Group depends on the experience, skill and The Group seeks to reduce this risk by maintaining an entrepreneurial and inclusive
continue to retain or attract judgement of key staff in, amongst other things, working environment, referred to internally as #OneMercia, and by offering
experienced, skilled and selecting possible future successful businesses balanced and competitive remuneration packages to all its staff. The Remuneration
successful Board Directors, in which to invest. The Group also depends on its Committee monitors the remuneration and incentive structures of all senior staff
Investment Directors and support network of deal flow introducers to the managed across the Group, in conjunction with seeking advice, when appropriate, from
staff. fund business. The Group’s future success depends specialist remuneration consultants. The use of Goalspan, an online performance
in part on the continued service of these individuals management and personal development system, has enhanced Mercia’s ability to
as well as the Group’s ability to recruit, retain and manage performance and career progression.
motivate additional talented personnel.

Mercia subsidiaries may cease to Certain Mercia subsidiaries are authorised and The Group mitigates this risk by ensuring that it acts fairly at all times and with
be authorised by the Financial regulated by the FCA as small authorised UK integrity, honesty, skill and diligence in conducting its investment activities. The
Conduct Authority (“FCA”). Alternative Investment Fund Managers (“AIFM”) Group regularly reviews the financial position of each Mercia subsidiary to ensure
(Sub-threshold). that adequate financial resources are maintained in accordance with FCA rules.
The Group also ensures that it employs the resources and procedures that are
Should any of those subsidiaries cease to be
necessary for the proper performance of its business activities and seeks to comply
authorised and regulated by the FCA, they would
with all regulatory requirements applicable to the conduct of its business, so as to
no longer be authorised to act as the investment
promote the best interests of the funds under management and fund investors. The
manager of the respective funds or VCTs being
Group ensures that it communicates information to fund investors in a way which
managed.
is fair, clear, timely and not misleading. It also communicates with the FCA in an
If that was to occur, Mercia would: (i) lose one or open and transparent manner when submitting regular reporting, notifications and
more of its revenue streams; (ii) be required to disclosures. The Group’s compliance function is staffed by experienced and FCA-
appoint a replacement UK AIFM; and (iii) lose one approved personnel. Mercia applies policies and procedures in compliance with
or more of the principal sources of potential direct FCA requirements across its regulated subsidiaries. It has implemented the initial
investments for the Group. stages of the SMCR, ensuring that its senior staff are appropriately mapped to the
new regime and that all staff understand their obligations to act with integrity.
Mercia also has a whistle-blowing policy and reporting structure in place.
No whistle-blowing reports have been made in the year.
The United Kingdom’s exit from Future European trade barriers, tariffs or border Technology is a sector that works without national barriers and will only increase in
the European Union (‘Brexit’) may controls may impact portfolio company growth importance. Many of the Group’s direct investments have a global target customer
impact upon both the Group and its prospects. base.
portfolio companies, especially if no
Additional equity capital may be more difficult to The Group focuses on technology sectors that do not have large capital needs. The
trade deal is successfully negotiated.
raise during periods of economic turbulence. Group therefore has sufficient funds under management and balance sheet capital
to exercise investment and operational flexibility.
Portfolio companies may find hiring and retaining
non-UK resident, highly skilled staff more difficult. Only once the final outcome of the Brexit trade negotiations are known will
the future employment and potential tariffs landscape become clearer. In
the meantime, the Group continues to monitor United Kingdom Government
announcements and will take relevant actions to respond to developments as
appropriate and relevant.
Breaches of the Group’s digital Such security or infrastructure failures may result The Group reviews its infrastructure and cybersecurity processes with its
security, through cyber attacks in the loss of data, misuse of sensitive information, outsourced IT provider on a regular basis and continues to invest in resources
or a failure of the Group’s digital reputational damage and legal or regulatory to enhance its cyber defences and improve network monitoring to minimise the
infrastructure, could result in the breaches. impact of any external security breach. The Group has implemented Office 365 this
loss of commercially sensitive data year to further enhance its ability to securely store and share documents.
Attacks on portfolio companies could in addition
and/or create substantial business
result in the loss of valuable intellectual property or Business continuity plans and disaster recovery contingencies are tested regularly
disruption.
be disruptive to business activities. and have proved to be effective to support remote working during the COVID-19
The incidence of cyber crime related lockdown.
attempts and reports from portfolio
The Group continues to engage frequently with its external IT and cybersecurity
companies has increased in the wake
consultants to monitor and periodically test its cyber defences.
of COVID-19.
A proportion of the early-stage deal Although the Directors do not believe that such Changes in tax legislation would affect the whole industry, so Mercia would not
flow for Mercia derives from, and is investors choose investment via SEIS, EIS or VCT be at a competitive disadvantage. Investors would make their decisions solely on
financed via, the Group’s SEIS and funds solely for the tax relief available, such reliefs companies’ track records, executive and investment team members’ reputations
EIS funds, which include capital are an element of their decision-making and if those and performance.
raised from sophisticated investors reliefs were to be withdrawn this could result in the
Mercia has established an award-winning reputation with a proven track record of
seeking, inter alia, tax relief. Any size of the funds and VCTs being reduced, or make it
delivering value to fund and VCT investors and would therefore be well placed to
changes in legislation around SEIS difficult for Mercia to successfully launch one or more
continue operating in any changed environment.
and EIS tax relief could impact on similar future funds.
Mercia’s ability to raise adequate
funds to support all suitable
investment opportunities.
Any changes to VCT related tax
reliefs could also impact the VCT
portfolio’s access to future funding.
Events after the balance sheet date

Other than the sale of The Native Antigen Company for up to £5.2million and the continuing completion of approved direct investments, there have
been no other material events since the balance sheet date.
Approval
The Strategic Report was approved by the Board of Directors and signed on its behalf by:
Dr Mark Payton
Chief Executive Officer
13 July 2020

Board of Directors
Right skills,
right experience,
right people
Dr Mark Payton Chief Executive Officer
Date of appointment: December 2014 Following his time at OUI Mark was the vice
president corporate development at Oxxon
Experience: Mark has extensive private
Therapeutics Inc, prior to its sale to Oxford
investment and scale-up experience. Since
BioMedica plc. He gained his PhD jointly between
co-founding Mercia he has led the sales of
the University of Oxford and the University of
Hybrid Systems (to Myotec) to create PsiOxus
01 London (King’s College). Mark also has an MBA
Therapeutics Ltd, Warwick Effect Polymers Ltd
from the University of Warwick, is a Sainsbury
(to Polytherics Ltd) to create Abzena plc and led
Management Fellow for Life Sciences and was
the founding investment in Allinea Software Ltd
awarded the 2015 EY Entrepreneur of the Year
(sold to ARM). Prior to Mercia, Mark played a
(regional and national).
leading role within Oxford University Innovation
(“OUI”, the technology transfer operation of the External appointments: None
University of Oxford), spinning out BioAnalab
(sold to Millipore), Oxford Immunotec (listed
on NASDAQ), Oxitec (sold to Intrexon) and
Natural Motion (sold to Zynga).
Martin Glanfield Chief Financial Officer

Date of appointment: December 2014 The group was successfully restructured and
sold within 12 months to a NASDAQ listed US
Experience: Martin has significant public markets
electronics group, whereupon he became a vice
and business experience. He is a KPMG qualified
president, working frequently in Silicon Valley. He
chartered accountant with more than 20 years’
was chief executive of the private equity business
experience as chief financial officer of listed,
02 Forward Group plc from 2003 to 2005 and since
private equity-backed and privately owned
then has been group finance and IT director of
technology-led businesses. Martin joined the
the large international food processing group
main market listed Forward Group PLC in 1993
Boparan Holdings Ltd and a private equity-
and was group financial director from 1995 until
backed building services business. Martin has an
its sale for £129.0million in 1997. In 1999, as
honours degree in business from Aston University.
deputy chief executive of Symonds plc, Martin led
the public to private of this main market listed External appointments: None
technology group, backed by NatWest Equity
Partners.
Julian Viggars Chief Investment Officer

Date of appointment: April 2018 Alongside his wide experience of investing across
many sectors, Julian is fund manager for the
Experience: Julian joined Mercia through the
Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (“NPIF”),
2016 acquisition of Enterprise Ventures, which
the RisingStars Growth Funds and the Finance
he joined in 2004 and was head of technology
Yorkshire Seedcorn Fund. Julian played a leading
investments at the time of its acquisition. He
03 role in securing the managed funds contracts
has over 20 years of venture capital experience,
awarded by the British Business Bank and North
including the successful listings of companies
East Fund Ltd and has been Mercia’s Chief
such as Blue Prism Group plc and OptiBiotix
Investment Officer since April 2018. Julian has
Health plc. Through the subsequent sell down of
a geology with chemistry degree from the
its holding in Blue Prism, Mercia’s RisingStars
University of Southampton and qualified as
Growth Fund realised c£95m, 105x the cost of its
a chartered accountant with accountants
investment. Julian leads the equity investment
Smith & Williamson.
team as well as managing the pipeline of Mercia’s
direct investments. External appointments: None

Ian Metcalfe Non-executive Chair

Date of appointment: December 2014 He is also a non-executive director of the global
waste management group TRRG Holdings Ltd and
Experience: Ian is a qualified solicitor who retired
a non-executive director of the AIM listed Arena
as managing partner of international law firm
Events Group plc. Ian has an MA in law from
Wragge & Co in 2014 after eight years in post. Prior
Cambridge University and his appointment as
to managing the business, Ian was a corporate
Mercia’s Senior Independent Director in January
partner at the firm for 14 years, acting for a
04 number of substantial public and private
2017 recognised the continuing development and
scale of the Group. He became Non-executive
companies and private equity houses on a
Chair on 2 July 2019.
wide range of transactions. Ian is currently
a director and chair of Commonwealth Games Ian has over 25 years’ experience advising
England, a director of the Board of the businesses of all types and sizes on their growth
Organising Committee of the Birmingham 2022 activities, as well as deep corporate governance
Commonwealth Games and the Host City experience, both as a legal adviser to listed
representative on the Commonwealth Games businesses and as a current and previous
Federation Executive Board. non-executive board member of leading sports
and other multinational organisations.
Ray Chamberlain Non-executive Director

Date of appointment: December 2014 setting up the Forward Innovation Fund, a trust
focused on investing in university spinouts and
Experience: Ray is an entrepreneur with an
other technology-led start-ups. Ray was
established track record of shareholder value
appointed Non-executive Chair at the time of the
creation. Until 1997, Ray was executive chairman
Group’s IPO and having steered Mercia Asset
and the principal shareholder in Forward Group
05 Management through its first 18 months as a
PLC, which he grew from a start-up company
listed company, moved to a non-executive
in 1978 to become one of Europe’s leading
position in May 2016.
high-technology printed circuit board
manufacturers, listed on the Main Market of the Ray has deep venture experience across several
London Stock Exchange. In 1997 Forward Group decades and sectors, as both a founder of and
accepted a £129.0million offer from PCB investor in many start-up businesses which have
Investments plc, a company established by Hicks, resulted in successful cash exits.
Muse, Tate & Furst. Subsequently, Ray diversified
his interests in a number of areas, which included
Dr Jonathan Pell Non-executive Director

Date of appointment: December 2017 Since leaving Oracle Inc in 2012, Jonathan
has founded his own early-stage technology
Experience: Jonathan brings extensive
investment vehicle, Thorium Technology
experience in the technology sector, originally in
Investors, and currently sits on the boards of
both finance director and chief executive roles
a number of young technology businesses.
and latterly in investing in and helping to scale up
06 Jonathan has a degree in zoology with marine
technology ventures. Having qualified as a
zoology from the University of Wales, Bangor and
chartered accountant at PwC, Jonathan gained
a PhD in cell proliferation from the University of
significant executive experience, firstly in senior
East Anglia.
finance positions at Convergys Corporation (NYSE
– CVG), Geneva Technology Ltd, Thomas Cook Jonathan has considerable venture and private
Retail Ltd and Semitool Inc. He then became CEO equity investing experience, both as a CFO and
at Datanomic Ltd, where he oversaw a twenty-fold CEO of private equity-backed businesses that
increase in the company’s global customer base have successfully exited, and also as the founder
and compound revenue growth of 105% over a of a technology focused venture angel
four-year period, before being purchased by investor group.
Oracle Inc (NYSE – ORCL) in 2011.
Caroline Plumb OBE Non-executive Director

Date of appointment: June 2018 Caroline was awarded an OBE in the 2016 Birthday
Honours’ list for services to business and charity.
Experience: Caroline is a serial entrepreneur who
She has an MEng in engineering, economics and
previously co-founded recruitment and
management from Oxford University.
innovation consultancy FreshMinds, with clients
07 including Jaguar Land Rover, Vodafone and Caroline is a serial start-up entrepreneur and is
Google. She remains involved with FreshMinds as highly effective in bringing her current venture
non-executive chair and is CEO of Fluidly, which capital investee insights to Mercia’s Board and
she founded in 2016, a venture-backed SaaS Strategy meetings.
business in the fintech space. Caroline was
previously an independent panel member of the
£2.7billion Regional Growth Fund and served as
one of Prime Minister David Cameron’s Business
Ambassadors representing the Professional and
Business Services sectors.

Directors’ report
The Directors present their Annual Report and the audited financial Number of Percentage
Ordinary shares %
statements of Mercia Asset Management PLC for the year ended
31 March 2020. Invesco Limited 63,113,333 14.3
Forward Innovation Fund1 38,072,336 8.7
Results and dividends Librae Holdings Limited 28,208,528 6.4
The loss for the year was £17,454,000 (2019: £2,620,000 profit). The Ruffer LLP 24,413,000 5.6
Directors do not recommend the payment of a dividend (2019: £nil). Forward Nominees Limited1 22,631,208 5.1
The Hargreaves No 11 Settlement 14,000,000 3.2
NFU Mutual Insurance Society 13,341,465 3.0
Future developments and events after the balance
sheet date 1 Shareholdings connected to Ray Chamberlain.
Details of future developments and events that have occurred after the
balance sheet date can be found in the Strategic Report on page 55
Political donations
which forms part of this report by cross-reference. On 1 July 2020 the
During the year ended 31 March 2020 the Group made no political
Board was pleased to promote Mercia’s in-house Head of Legal,
donations (2019: £nil).
Sarah-Louise Thawley LLB (Hons), as Group General Counsel and
Company Secretary.
Employees
The Group employed an average of 91 (2019: 85) staff throughout
Directors the year and is therefore of a size where it is not necessary to have
The Directors who were in office during the year and up to the date of
introduced a formal employee consultation process. However, and as
signing the financial statements were:
more fully set out in the People, Culture and Values review beginning on
page 40, employees are encouraged to be involved in decision-making
Ian Roland Metcalfe (appointed Non-executive Chair on 2 July 2019)
processes and are provided with information on the financial and
Dr Mark Andrew Payton
economic factors affecting the Group’s performance through regular
Martin James Glanfield
team meetings, updates from the Chief Executive Officer and via an
Julian George Viggars
open and inclusive culture. Given the Group’s continuing expansion
Raymond Kenneth Chamberlain
during the past year, talent management encompassing recruitment,
Dr Jonathan David Pell
retention, communication, training and performance management
Caroline Bayantai Plumb OBE
remains an important area of focus.
Susan Jane Searle (resigned on 2 July 2019)
The Group operates a discretionary annual bonus scheme for all of its
Directors’ shareholdings and other interests employees with bonuses being awarded based on both their and the
A table showing the interests of Directors in the share capital of Group’s overall performance, against defined objectives which
Mercia Asset Management PLC is shown in the Remuneration Report encompass the Group’s four core values.
on page 68.
Applications for employment by disabled persons are always fully
Directors’ indemnities considered, bearing in mind the aptitudes of the applicant concerned.
Mercia Asset Management PLC has made qualifying third-party In the event of a member of staff becoming disabled, every effort is
indemnity provisions for the benefit of all Directors of the Company and made to ensure that their employment within the Group continues
its subsidiaries. These were in force during the financial year and and that workspace and other modifications are made as appropriate.
remained in force at the date of approval of the financial statements. It is the policy of the Group that the training, career development and
promotion of a disabled person should, as far as possible, be identical
Financial instruments to that of a person who does not suffer from a disability.
The Group’s financial instruments comprise cash and other items, such
as trade debtors and trade creditors, which arise directly from its Disclosure of information to the auditor
operations. The main purpose of these financial instruments is to fund So far as each of the persons who are Directors at the date of signing
the Group’s operations as well as to efficiently manage working capital the financial statements are aware, there is no relevant audit
and liquidity. information of which the Group’s auditor is unaware, and each Director
has taken all the steps that he or she ought to have taken as a Director
It is the Group’s policy not to enter into derivative transactions and no in order to make himself or herself aware of any relevant audit
trading in financial instruments has been undertaken during the year information and to establish that the Group’s auditor is aware of
under review. The Group therefore faces few risks associated with that information.
financial instruments.
Auditor
The Group’s use of financial instruments is discussed further in note 29 The auditor, Deloitte LLP, has indicated their willingness to continue
to the consolidated financial statements. in office and a resolution concerning their reappointment will
be proposed at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.
Substantial shareholdings
As at 31 March 2020, the Group had been notified, in accordance with Approved by the Board and signed on its behalf by:
Chapter 5 of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, of the following
voting rights of shareholders of the Group:
Sarah-Louise Thawley
Company Secretary
13 July 2020
Forward House, 17 High Street, Henley-in-Arden

Warwickshire B95 5AA

Statement of Directors’ responsibilities
The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and Directors’ responsibility statement
the audited financial statements in accordance with applicable law We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:
and regulations.
• the financial statements, prepared in accordance with the relevant
Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for financial reporting framework, give a true and fair view of the
each financial period. Under that law the Directors are required to assets, liabilities, financial position of the Group and the Company
prepare the Group financial statements in accordance with and loss of the Group and the undertakings included in the
International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”) as adopted by consolidation taken as a whole;
the European Union and Article 4 of the International Accounting • the Strategic Report includes a fair review of the development and
Standards (“IAS”) Regulation and have elected to prepare the Parent performance of the business and the position of the Company and
Company financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole,
Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties
Standards and applicable law), including Financial Reporting Standard that they face; and
101 ‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’. Under company law the Directors • the Annual Report and financial statements, taken as a whole, are
must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied fair, balanced and understandable and provide the information
that they give true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Group and necessary for shareholders to assess the Company’s and the
the Company and of the profit or loss of the Group for that period. Group's position and the Group's performance, business model and
strategy.
In preparing the Group financial statements, International Accounting
Standard 1 requires that the Directors: This responsibility statement was approved by the Board on 13 July
2020 and signed on its behalf by:
• properly select and apply accounting policies;
• present information, including accounting policies, in a manner that
provides relevant, reliable, comparable and understandable Dr Mark Payton Martin Glanfield
information; Chief Executive Officer Chief Financial Officer
• provide additional disclosures when compliance with the specific
requirements in IFRSs is insufficient to enable users to understand
the impact of particular transactions, other events and conditions
on the entity’s financial position and financial performance; and
• make an assessment of the Group’s ability to continue as a
going concern.
In preparing the Company financial statements, the Directors are

required to:
• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them

consistently;
• make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable
and prudent;
• state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been
followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and
explained in the financial statements; and
• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis
unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Company will
continue in business.
The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records

that are sufficient to show and explain the Group’s and the Company’s
transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the
financial key position of the Group and the Company, enabling them to
ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act
2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the
Group and the Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the
prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the
corporate and financial information included on the Group’s website.
Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and
dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in
other jurisdictions.

Corporate governance report
Non-executive Chair’s corporate Finally, from an external perspective Mercia seeks to operate as a
governance statement socially responsible employer and has adopted standards and policies
As Non-executive Chair, I have overall responsibility for implementing which promote corporate values designed to help and guide employees
corporate governance within Mercia Asset Management PLC (‘Mercia’, in their conduct and business relationships. The Group seeks to comply
the ‘Company’ or the ‘Group’). Working with the Chief Financial Officer with all laws, regulations and rules applicable to its business and to
and Company Secretary, I am responsible for our corporate governance conduct that business in line with applicable established best practice.
standards. The Board is collectively responsible for setting the tone and The Group takes a zero tolerance approach to bribery and corruption
culture of the Company and promoting good corporate governance. and has enacted procedures to prevent bribery. All employees within
Mercia who are involved with the regulated business of managing
Mercia has been a member of the Quoted Companies’ Alliance (“QCA”) investment transactions receive compliance and anti-money
since 2015 to further its understanding of, and adherence to, good laundering training, with periodic refresher updates.
corporate governance practice. It formally adopted the QCA Code on
21 September 2018, following the introduction in March 2018 of the The Directors recognise the importance of sound corporate
London Stock Exchange’s new requirement for companies admitted to governance. We remain committed to delivering the long-term
trading on AIM to adopt and comply with a recognised corporate success of the Group through an effective framework of leadership,
governance code by 28 September 2018. management and controls. In all its activities, the Group aims to be
commercial and fair, to display integrity and professionalism and to
The QCA Code sets out 10 corporate governance principles and requires have due regard for the interests of all of its investors, employees,
the Group to publish certain related disclosures; these appear in this suppliers, local communities and the businesses in which the
section of the Annual Report and on our website. This information is Group invests.
reviewed annually and the date of each review is noted on our website.
Board composition
Our primary means of communicating our corporate governance The Board considers that it contains a range of skills, knowledge,
structure is through our Annual Report and our website disclosures. experience and backgrounds that are appropriate for the business.
When on occasion specific questions are raised by private individual Furthermore, the Board members are of sufficient calibre to bring
shareholders and/or institutional investors on such matters, we engage independent judgement on issues of strategy, performance, resources
directly with those shareholders, generally through either the Chief and standards of conduct, which are vital to the success of the Group.
Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer. I also meet from time to The Chief Financial Officer also served as Company Secretary
time with our leading institutional investors to maintain an open throughout the year, and up until 1 July 2020, on which date
dialogue in respect of progress against Mercia’s strategic objectives
and any other matters which our shareholders wish to raise. I set out
below how the Board is led, matters specifically reserved for it, our risk
framework and governance structures. Mercia’s Directors, both
Executive and Non-executive, believe in robust corporate governance,
and we concur with the principles of the QCA Code, in that it is key to
the long-term success of the Company – by helping, inter alia, to
improve performance and mitigate risk.
A few words about our corporate culture. We communicate our

corporate culture through regular staff communications, an induction
programme for all new joiners and, most important of all, through the
way in which the Executive Directors conduct themselves. We promote
openness and respectfulness in all our dealings. Our relatively flat
management structure and internal communication channels enable
us to monitor that ethical values are being respected and that the state
of our corporate culture remains strong – both from an internal and Sarah-Louise Thawley LLB (Hons) was promoted to the role of Group
external perspective. Our purpose and core values are communicated General Counsel and Company Secretary. The Board believes that it
regularly to all staff and form part of our performance management operates in an open and constructive manner and works effectively.
framework. Furthermore, all employees are encouraged to contribute Given the Group’s evolution as a specialist asset manager, the Board
to our decision-making processes and are provided with information on intends to appoint an additional Non-executive Director with a relevant
the financial and economic factors affecting the Group’s performance asset management background in the near term, and furthering Board
through regular team meetings, updates from the Chief Executive diversity also remains important to Mercia.
Officer and via our open and inclusive culture. Mercia’s people and
talent management encompasses recruitment, retention, Brief biographies of the Directors and their relevant experience are set
communication, training and performance management; all important out on pages 56 to 57. Their membership of committees is set out on
areas of focus where our staff are our most important asset. Mercia pages 61 to 62.
actively encourages open dialogue between all staff and we hold
regular face-to-face gatherings (more recently via Zoom), both formal
and informal, to elicit feedback and gauge how our values are being
maintained throughout the business.

Independence of Non-executive Directors

The Board considers many criteria in assessing the independence of the Non-executive Directors including the criteria recommended by the QCA
Code. The Non-executive Chair and Non-executive Directors are all considered by the Board to be independent of management and not influenced
by any relationship which could interfere with the exercise of their independent judgement. Notwithstanding this conclusion, Ray Chamberlain is
interested in 14.7% of the Company’s issued share capital.
Board operation
The Board has a schedule of matters reserved for its approval including, inter alia, setting the Group’s strategic direction, approving annual
budgets, monitoring performance against plan, authorising all material direct investment decisions and all corporate transactions, ensuring
effective communication with shareholders and approving changes to Board membership and committees.
Board effectiveness
In April 2019 a board effectiveness review was undertaken. Belinda Hudson Limited (“BHL”), experts in enhancing board effectiveness, were
appointed to undertake the externally facilitated review after a tender exercise. BHL has not provided any other service to the Company during
the year.
The process comprised a review of Board and committee papers over the preceding year and confidential one-to-one discussions between BHL
and members of the Board and Executive Team. BHL compiled a report which identified what was working well and those areas where there was
scope for development. The report was discussed at a Board meeting in June 2019 and actions were subsequently agreed to implement the areas
for development.
Key insights included:
• refreshing the skills matrix and reviewing the composition of the Board to ensure that the Non-executive Directors bring the skills and
experience necessary to meet the future needs of the Company;
• reviewing the extent of the Board’s involvement in relation to the oversight of balance sheet investments;
• reviewing the Board meeting agenda to ensure that there is strong strategic focus and all matters within the Board’s remit are covered;
• encouraging the Executives to be clear on what they are seeking from the Board when they present investment proposals or other papers;
• creating more opportunities for the Non-executive Directors to interact with a broader range of employees; and
• including more time in the Board calendar for the Non-executive Directors to meet without the Executives present.
Since the review, tangible progress has been made in respect of each of the above recommendations.
Board meetings
The Board now meets formally for a minimum of eight times each year. In addition, the Non-executive Directors communicate directly with the
Executive Directors between Board meetings. The Board typically holds two dedicated meetings each year to review strategy.
Directors are expected to attend all meetings of the Board and the committees on which they sit, and to devote sufficient time to the Group’s
affairs to enable them to fulfil their duties as Directors. In the event that Directors are unable to attend a meeting, their comments on papers to be
considered at the meeting are discussed in advance with the Chair so that their contribution can be included in the wider Board discussion.
During the year to 31 March 2020 nine Board meetings occurred. Details of attendance at the scheduled Board and committee meetings during the
year is as follows:
Director Board Audit and Risk Remuneration Nominations
Ian Metcalfe 9/9 2/32 5/5 1/1

Dr Mark Payton 9/9 1/31 5/51 1/11
Martin Glanfield 9/9 3/31 5/51 1/11
Julian Viggars 9/9 1/31 – –
Ray Chamberlain 8/9 – – –
Dr Jonathan Pell 9/9 2/3 4/52 1/1
Caroline Plumb OBE 9/9 3/3 5/5 –
Susan Searle3 3/9 1/3 1/5 1/1
1 Attended by invitation.
2 The composition of the Committee changed during the year, as outlined below.
3 Susan Searle resigned on 2 July 2019.

Corporate governance report continued
Board committees
The Board delegates specific duties and responsibilities to certain committees and has established a Nominations Committee, an Audit and Risk
Committee and a Remuneration Committee, as described more fully below, except in respect of the Remuneration Committee, whose report is set
out on pages 65 to 68 of this Annual Report. The Company Secretary attends all Committee meetings. Subsequent to Susan Searle’s resignation on
2 July 2019, Ian Metcalfe became Chair of the Nominations Committee and rejoined the Audit and Risk Committee.
Nominations Committee
The Nominations Committee is responsible for identifying and nominating members of the Board and recommending the composition of each
committee of the Board, including the Chair of each committee, together with evaluating the balance of skills, knowledge, experience and
independence of the Board. The Committee also considers succession planning for Executive Directors, Non‑executive Directors and other
senior executives.
During the year the Committee comprised Susan Searle as Chair and Ian Metcalfe and Dr Jonathan Pell until 2 July 2019, after which date
Ian Metcalfe became Chair and the other Committee members were Dr Jonathan Pell and Caroline Plumb OBE. The Nominations Committee met
once formally during the year and also met informally at other times. The formal meeting was fully attended.
Audit and Risk Committee

The Audit and Risk Committee is responsible for monitoring the integrity of the Group’s financial statements, reviewing significant financial
reporting issues, reviewing the effectiveness of the Group’s compliance, internal control and risk management systems and overseeing the
relationship with the external statutory and CASS auditors (including advising on their appointment, agreeing the scope of the audits, agreeing
audit fees and reviewing the audit findings). The Committee also reviews the provision of any non-audit services by the external statutory auditor.
The Committee will monitor the need for a dedicated internal audit function, focusing on financial controls. An internal audit function already
exists in respect of investment related compliance matters, under the independent leadership and direction of the Group’s Compliance Director.
The Compliance Director reports directly to the Committee on all findings.
During the year the Committee comprised Dr Jonathan Pell as Chair, Susan Searle and Caroline Plumb OBE up until 2 July 2019, after which date
Dr Jonathan Pell remained as Chair and the other Committee members were Caroline Plumb OBE and Ian Metcalfe. Executive Directors attend by
invitation. The Committee met three times during the year under review at appropriate times in the financial reporting and audit cycle. It may also
meet at other times if so required. It has unrestricted access to the Group’s external auditor.
The QCA Corporate Governance Code

From the date of our Admission to trading on AIM in December 2014, we have embedded robust corporate governance as part of our culture.
Mercia’s governance framework is not static and will continue to evolve over time.
Set out below is how Mercia complies with the 10 key principles set out in the QCA Code.
Governance principles Compliant Explanation Further reading
Deliver 1. Establish a strategy  The Strategic Report section of this Annual Report clearly explains Pages 2 to 55 of this
growth and business model Mercia’s business model and strategy in detail, including how it Annual Report and the
which promote expects to create long-term value for shareholders. AIM Rule 26 section of
long-term value for the Group’s website
shareholders A key strand of Mercia’s strategy is its investment policy,
which is included in the AIM Rule 26 section of its website at
www.mercia.co.uk.
2. Seek to understand  Mercia’s Executive Directors participate in institutional and retail Pages 39 and 60 of this
and meet shareholder investor roadshows throughout the year and following the Annual Report and the
needs and announcement of its annual and interim results. The Group’s Chair AIM Rule 26 section of
expectations also meets with existing shareholders from time to time as do the the Group’s website
Executive Directors. Capital Market Days, to which all shareholders
are invited, are held from time to time. The Group also uses its
Annual General Meeting as an opportunity to communicate with
its shareholders.
3. Take into account  Mercia’s Annual Report identifies its key stakeholders within the Pages 44 to 45 of this
wider stakeholder and Responsible Business section of this Annual Report and how Annual Report and the
social responsibilities seriously the Group takes its environmental, social and AIM Rule 26 section of
and their implications governance responsibilities. the Group’s website
for long-term success

Governance principles Compliant Explanation Further reading
4. Embed effective risk  The Group’s approach to risk management together with the Pages 52 to 55 of this
management, principal risks and uncertainties applicable to Mercia, their Annual Report and the
considering both possible consequences and mitigation are set out in the Principal AIM Rule 26 section of
opportunities and Risks and Uncertainties section of this Annual Report. The Board the Group’s website
threats throughout reviews, evaluates and prioritises risks to ensure that appropriate
the organisation measures are in place to effectively manage and mitigate those
identified – for risk tolerance (focusing on Mercia-specific internal,
external and strategic risks) and risk appetite (specifically in terms
of the Group’s investing policy).
Maintain a 5. Maintain the Board as  The Board has a formal schedule of matters reserved for its Pages 60 to 62 of this
dynamic a well-functioning, approval and is supported by the Nominations, Audit and Risk and Annual Report and the
management balanced team led by Remuneration Committees. All Directors are required to devote AIM Rule 26 section of
framework the Chair sufficient time to carry out their role. The Governance section of the Group’s website
Mercia’s Annual Report details the composition of its Board and
Committees. These are also included within the Investor Relations
section of its website, under the ‘Organisational Structure’ page.
6. Ensure that between  The Board is satisfied that, between the Directors, it has an Pages 56 to 57 of this
them the Directors effective and appropriate balance of experience, skills and Annual Report and the
have the necessary capabilities. To ensure that the Directors maintain appropriate AIM Rule 26 section of
up-to-date experience, skills they are provided with training when identified as the Group’s website
skills and capabilities appropriate by the Chair. Mercia’s Annual Report includes a
biography of each Board member. These are also included within
the Investor Relations section of its website, under “Meet the
Board”. They list the current and past roles of each Board member
and also describe the relevant business experience that each
Director brings to the Board, plus their academic and professional
qualifications. This Annual Report describes and explains where
external advisers have been engaged (eg by the Board in April
2019). Internal advisory responsibilities, such as the role
performed by the Company Secretary in advising and supporting
the Board, are also described in this Annual Report.
7. Evaluate Board  The Board regularly considers and evaluates its own performance Page 61 of this Annual
performance based on and that of its individual members. An externally-facilitated Board Report and the AIM Rule
clear and relevant evaluation and effectiveness review was undertaken during April 26 section of the Group’s
objectives, seeking 2019 and the actions taken in response to the recommendations website
continuous arising from this review are set out in this Annual Report.
improvement
8. Promote a corporate  The Board believes that the promotion of a corporate culture Pages 40 to 45 of this
culture that is based based on sound ethical values and behaviours is essential to Annual Report and the
on ethical values and creating a workplace environment that allows people to flourish AIM Rule 26 section of
behaviours and that this will contribute to enhancing shareholder value. the Group’s website
Within this Annual Report, the Chair’s statement includes specific
reference to people and culture. The People, Culture and Values
section of the Strategic Report includes a section on business
ethics and further details on how Mercia’s culture is consistent
with the Group’s objectives, strategy, business model and
approach to risk management. The Remuneration Report refers to
the Executive Directors’ KPIs – those for 2019/20 and 2020/21
include Mercia’s cultural values.
9. Maintain governance  The Board is collectively responsible for the long-term success of Pages 60 to 62 of this
structures and Mercia. It has a schedule of matters reserved for its approval which Annual Report and the
processes that are fit covers key areas of management and governance of the Group. AIM Rule 26 section of
for purpose and This Annual Report details the composition and terms of reference the Group’s website
support good decision- of the Board and its Committees. These are also included within
making by the Board the Investor Relations section of its website.
Build 10. Communicate how the  Mercia’s Annual Report includes disclosure of Board Committees, Pages 39 and 60 to 62 of
trust Company is governed their composition and where relevant, any work undertaken this Annual Report and
and is performing by during the year. It includes a detailed Remuneration Report. the AIM Rule 26 section
maintaining a dialogue Mercia’s website includes all historic Annual Reports, results of the Group’s website
with shareholders and announcements, results presentations and other governance-
other relevant related material, including notices of all AGMs. These can be found
stakeholders in the Investor Relations section, under Regulatory News. This
section of the website also includes the results of all AGMs.

Corporate governance report continued
Internal controls Investor relations

The Board acknowledges its overall responsibility for the Group’s The Group is committed to developing and maintaining open channels
system of internal controls and the ongoing review of their of communication with its shareholders and the mercia.co.uk website
effectiveness. These controls are designed to safeguard the Group’s provides up-to-date information on the Group. The Executive Directors
assets and are considered appropriate for an AIM company of the size are available to meet with shareholders and sector analysts at regular
and complexity of Mercia Asset Management. However, systems of intervals throughout the year and the Non-executive Directors are also
internal control can only identify and manage risks, not eliminate them. available for informal discussions if required. Shareholders will have an
Consequently, such controls do not provide an absolute assurance opportunity to raise questions with the Board at the Group’s Annual
against misstatement or loss. The main features of the Group’s internal General Meeting, which this year will be held on 24 September 2020.
controls system are as follows:
• A control environment exists through the close daily management of Ian R Metcalfe
the business by the Executive Directors. The Group has a defined Non-executive Chair
organisation structure with delineated investment approval limits. 13 July 2020
Controls are implemented and monitored by senior staff with the
necessary qualifications and experience.
• A list of matters specifically reserved for Board approval.
• Regular detailed management reporting with comparisons and
explanations of any material variances against budget or forecasts.
• Financial and custody of asset controls operate to ensure that the
assets of the Group are safeguarded and that appropriate
accounting and FCA related records are maintained.
Share dealing, anti-bribery and whistleblowing

The Group has adopted a share dealing code in conformity with the
requirements of Rule 21 of the AIM Rules. All employees, including new
joiners, are required to agree to comply with the code. The Group has
also adopted anti-bribery and whistleblowing policies, which are
included in the Group’s internal policies, communicated to all
employees. The Group operates an open and inclusive culture and
employees are encouraged to speak up if they have any concerns.
The aim of such policies is to ensure that no blurred lines exist and to
encourage all employees, regardless of seniority, to bring matters
which cause them concern to the attention of either the Executive or
Non-executive Directors. The Group has also adopted the
requirements of the Market Abuse Regulations, to the extent required
by AIM companies.

Remuneration report
Remuneration Committee The review outputs, which were endorsed by the Committee and
The Remuneration Committee is responsible for determining and remain relevant today, included a recommendation that the Group
agreeing with the Board the framework for the remuneration of the adopts a policy of active remuneration review which is event rather
Chair, the Executive Directors and other designated senior executives. than time-driven, ie growing net asset value (“NAV”) above an agreed
Within the terms of the agreed framework, it is also responsible for target. More specific agreed recommendations in respect of the
determining the total individual remuneration packages of such persons Executive Directors are summarised below:
including where appropriate salaries, bonuses, share options and other
long-term incentives. The remuneration of Non-executive Directors is • Base salaries – these should move gradually towards lower quartile
a matter for the Chair and the Executive Directors. No Director is involved market levels of the comparator group, reflecting the lower market
in any decision as to his or her own remuneration. capitalisation of the Group in its stage of development.
• Annual bonuses – the review recommended that maximum bonuses
For the year to 31 March 2020 the Remuneration Committee comprised of up to 100% of base salary should be capable of being earned for
Ian Metcalfe as Chair, Susan Searle and Caroline Plumb OBE until 2 July exceptional performance. The review also suggested that the
2019. From that date the Committee comprised Ian Metcalfe as Chair, Committee should consider deferring an element of future bonus
Caroline Plumb OBE and Dr Jonathan Pell. The Remuneration awards into Mercia shares, to be retained for three years.
Committee meets at least twice a year and otherwise as required. • Long-term incentives – asset management groups (be they listed or
During the year the Committee met formally five times, with all unlisted) typically implement carried interest plans which allocate
meetings being fully attended, and on several other occasions on an 20% carried interest to the senior executive and investment team.
‘as required’ basis. Mercia’s plan provides for 10% carried interest to be allocated
because the Group also has a share option scheme, although the
Remuneration policy current operation of the two schemes still does not bring the senior
The Remuneration Committee believes that the success of the Group team fully in line with market. The review therefore recommended
depends, in part, on the performance of the Executive Directors and that for at least the three years to 31 March 2019 annual share option
senior management team and in being able to attract, retain and awards be made to Executive Directors at the level of 1x base salary.
motivate people of high calibre and experience. The Committee also Having taken soundings from both the Group’s Nominated Adviser
recognises the importance of ensuring that employees are incentivised and remuneration specialists, the Committee agreed in principle to
and identify closely with the achievement of the Group’s strategic continue with this policy for the next three years to 31 March 2022,
objectives, the leading one of which is to achieve incremental although this will be reviewed annually.
shareholder value over the medium term through successful
syndicated investment in, and subsequent exit from, technology- Having carefully considered these and other recommendations,
based companies. the Committee adopted them as the Group’s performance-focused
remuneration policy. Having agreed to a maximum bonus of 100% of
Accordingly, the Committee seeks to provide a fair, balanced, base salary for exceptional performance for 2019/20, the Committee
competitive and affordable remuneration package for its Executive determined that any bonus award would be payable in cash up to 50%
Directors and staff, while ensuring that a significant proportion of the of base salary with the remainder in deferred shares. The agreed
total remuneration of each Executive Director is linked to the criteria for determining the ultimate 2019/20 award were:
performance of the Group, against a set of pre‑agreed and largely
financial objectives. The main elements of the remuneration package 1. Material growth in assets under management – 30% weighting
for Executive Directors are base salary, an annual performance-related 2. Qualitative and quantitative progress by the direct investment
bonus scheme and participation in the Group’s long-term share option portfolio – 40% weighting
scheme and carried interest plans. Other benefits include contributions 3. Operational efficiency – 10% weighting
to a defined contribution personal pension scheme, life assurance, 4. Subjective measure of performance by each Executive Director
private health insurance and permanent health insurance. Only base reflecting their specific areas of responsibility and influence,
salaries are pensionable. including Mercia’s core values – 20% weighting
Given the Group’s stage in its development, there has remained a Notwithstanding actual performance against these targets, the
natural tension between ‘affordability’ and the need to ‘attract and Executive Directors voluntarily offered to cap their bonus scheme for
retain talent’ in what remains a competitive sector. In 2016 the 2019/20 at 50% of salary, recognising the near-term challenges posed
Committee engaged external remuneration consultants to review by COVID-19. This gesture was welcomed by the Committee.
executive remuneration throughout the Group. The review focused on
four elements of remuneration – base salary, annual bonuses, Having considered the performance of the Group and the Executive
long-term incentives and benefit packages – in the context of current Directors against each of these criteria, as well as the self-imposed
remuneration practices, the Group’s own objective of sustained, bonus cap, the Committee awarded bonuses to each Executive Director
long-term capital growth and benchmarking the existing remuneration of 33% of their base salary for 2019/20.
packages against a defined comparator group.

Remuneration report continued
The Committee has currently agreed to a maximum bonus of 100% of base salary for exceptional performance for 2020/21, with the bonus award
again payable in cash up to 50% of base salary and the remainder in deferred shares. The agreed criteria for determining the ultimate 2020/21
award are:
1. Total shareholder return – 45% weighting

2. Funds under management performance – 30% weighting
3. Environmental, social and governance progress, high performing teams and Mercia core values – 25% weighting
The Committee will continue to monitor the affordability and suitability of the Group’s remuneration policy and performance criteria and will
maintain informal dialogue on this subject with both the Group’s Nominated Adviser and remuneration specialists.
Directors’ service contracts

The table below summarises the service contract and letter of appointment details for each Executive and Non-executive Director as at the date of
this report:
Annual
Date salary Notice
of appointment £’000 period
Dr Mark Payton 15 December 2014 235 6 months

Martin Glanfield 15 December 2014 200 6 months
Julian Viggars 17 April 2018 200 6 months
Ian Metcalfe 15 December 2014 75 3 months
Ray Chamberlain 15 December 2014 40 3 months
Dr Jonathan Pell 22 December 2017 40 3 months
Caroline Plumb OBE 12 June 2018 40 3 months
All Directors have voluntarily agreed to no base salary increase for 2020/21, as part of the Group’s cost containment actions, during the period
when COVID-19 is impacting the Group’s performance. Ian Metcalfe’s annual salary increased to £75,000 per annum with effect from 2 July 2019, to
compensate him for his new role as Chair of the Group.
Equity-based incentive schemes

The Committee has implemented two long-term incentive schemes:
The Mercia Company Share Option Plan (“CSOP”)

The Remuneration Committee is responsible for issuing awards of options to purchase Ordinary shares under the Group’s share incentive plan,
known as the Mercia CSOP, which was adopted by Mercia Asset Management on 8 December 2014. All Executive Directors and employees are
eligible to participate. The Committee intends that appropriate awards be made over time, not exceeding the limits contained in the CSOP.
The Mercia CSOP comprises two parts. The first part satisfies the requirements of Schedule 4 to the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003
(so that options granted under it are subject to capital gains tax treatment). The second part will be used to grant options which cannot be granted
within the limit prescribed by the applicable tax legislation and which will not therefore benefit from favourable tax treatment. No options will be
granted under the Mercia CSOP more than 10 years after its adoption. The number of Ordinary shares over which options may be granted on any
date is limited so that the total number of Ordinary shares issued and issuable in respect of options granted in any 10-year period under the Mercia
CSOP and any other employee share scheme is restricted to 10% of the issued Ordinary shares from time to time.
The methodology for determining the market value of an Ordinary share for all grants of options under the Mercia CSOP has also been agreed with
HMRC, such that the Group will use the closing mid-market price quoted by the London Stock Exchange on the trading day immediately preceding
the date of grant.

All awards are subject to a performance condition. The performance condition requires that the total shareholder return from the date of grant to
the third anniversary is not less than 6% (compound) per annum, using a volume‑weighted average share price for the 90 days prior to the third
anniversary of the date of grant. Where the performance condition has not been achieved on the third anniversary, those options lapse.
In the year to 31 March 2020 options were granted to the Executive Directors and a number of staff. The total number of options in issue at the year
end was 15,700,140 (2019: 13,413,000).
The Mercia Carried Interest Plan (“CIP”)

Mercia Asset Management operates carried interest plans for the Executive Directors and certain other senior investment-focused staff (‘Plan
Participants’). Each CIP will operate in respect of direct investments made by Mercia Asset Management during a 24-month period, save that the
first CIP was for the period from the plan’s adoption on 1 August 2015 to 31 March 2017. The second plan period ran from 1 April 2017 until 31 March
2019. The third plan period runs from 1 April 2019 until 31 March 2021.
Once Mercia Asset Management has received an aggregate annualised 6% realised return during the relevant investment period, Plan Participants
will receive, in aggregate, 10% of the net realised cash profits from the direct investments made over the relevant period, including taking account
of any investment losses. Plan Participants’ carried interest is subject to good and bad leaver provisions.
Mercia Asset Management also implemented a Phantom Carried Interest Plan (“PCIP”), based on the above criteria, in respect of the direct
investments which the Group acquired shortly before Admission in December 2014 and those new direct investments made in the post-IPO period
leading up to the implementation of the CIP on 1 August 2015.
Audited information
The following section contains the disclosures required by the AIM Rules and by UK company law.
Directors’ remuneration (audited)

The aggregate remuneration received by the Directors who served during the year is set out below:
Salaries Pension Taxable Performance
payable contributions benefits related bonus Total
2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019
£’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000
Executive Directors
Dr Mark Payton 235 235 26 26 2 2 78 108 341 371
Martin Glanfield 200 200 22 22 3 4 66 92 291 318
Julian Viggars1 200 192 22 21 2 2 66 86 290 301
Matthew Mead2 – 9 – – – – – – – 9
Non-executive Directors
Ian Metcalfe3 68 46 – – – – – – 68 46
Ray Chamberlain 40 40 – – – – – – 40 40
Dr Jonathan Pell 40 40 – – – – – – 40 40
Caroline Plumb OBE4 40 32 – – – – – – 40 32
Susan Searle5 38 75 – – – – – – 38 75
861 869 70 69 7 8 210 286 1,148 1,232
Mercia pays reasonable expenses incurred by its Non-executive Directors and may settle any tax and National Insurance due on such payments
where relevant.
1 Julian Viggars was appointed on 17 April 2018.

2 Matthew Mead resigned on 17 April 2018.
3 Ian Metcalfe was appointed Chair on 2 July 2019.
4 Caroline Plumb OBE was appointed on 12 June 2018.

Remuneration report continued
Share options (audited)

The number of options over Mercia Asset Management’s Ordinary shares held by Directors as at 31 March 2020 is set out below:
Number of options
As at As at Date of Exercise Period of
31 March 2020 31 March 2019 grant price exercise
Executive Directors
Dr Mark Payton – 1,000,000 8 Dec 2014 50.00p 18 Dec 2019 to 7 Dec 20241
– 400,000 27 Jul 2016 51.25p 27 Jul 2019 to 26 Jul 20262
400,000 400,000 24 Jul 2017 36.00p 24 Jul 2020 to 23 Jul 20273
400,000 400,000 28 Aug 2018 30.80p 28 Aug 2021 to 27 Aug 2028 4
946,502 – 28 Jan 2020 24.30p 28 Jan 2023 to 27 Jan 20305
Martin Glanfield – 1,000,000 8 Dec 2014 50.00p 18 Dec 2019 to 7 Dec 20241
– 400,000 27 Jul 2016 51.25p 27 Jul 2019 to 26 Jul 20262
400,000 400,000 24 Jul 2017 36.00p 24 Jul 2020 to 23 Jul 20273
400,000 400,000 28 Aug 2018 30.80p 28 Aug 2021 to 27 Aug 2028 4
823,045 – 28 Jan 2020 24.30p 28 Jan 2023 to 27 Jan 20305
Julian Viggars – 300,000 27 Jul 2016 51.25p 27 Jul 2019 to 26 Jul 20262
100,000 100,000 24 Jul 2017 36.00p 24 Jul 2020 to 23 Jul 20273
1,200,000 1,200,000 28 Aug 2018 30.80p 28 Aug 2021 to 27 Aug 2028 4
823,045 – 28 Jan 2020 24.30p 28 Jan 2023 to 27 Jan 20305
1 The options, exercisable as to one-third from 18 December 2019, one-third from 18 December 2020 and the remaining one-third from 18 December 2021, lapsed during the
year ended 31 March 2020.
2 The options, exercisable as to one-third from 27 July 2019, one-third from 27 July 2020 and the remaining one-third from 27 July 2021, lapsed during the year ended
31 March 2020.
3 The options will be exercisable as to one-third from 24 July 2020, one-third from 24 July 2021 and the remaining one-third from 24 July 2022, if the performance condition has
been met.
4 The options will be exercisable as to one-third from 28 August 2021, one-third from 28 August 2022 and the remaining one-third from 28 August 2023, if the performance
condition has been met.
5 The options will be exercisable as to one-third from 28 January 2023, one third from 28 January 2024 and the remaining one third from 28 January 2025, if the performance
condition has been met.
Directors’ share interests (audited)

The interests of the Directors and their connected persons in the Ordinary shares of Mercia Asset Management are set out below:
Number of Number of
Ordinary shares Ordinary shares
as at 31 March as at 31 March
2020 2019
Ian Metcalfe1 192,609 132,609

Dr Mark Payton1 6,799,653 6,655,472
Martin Glanfield1 716,972 293,369
Julian Viggars1 582,325 424,325
Ray Chamberlain1 2 64,824,766 60,824,766
Dr Jonathan Pell – –
Caroline Plumb OBE1 40,000 –
Susan Searle3 – 1,097,388
1 In December 2019 Ian Metcalfe, Dr Mark Payton, Martin Glanfield, Julian Viggars, Ray Chamberlain and Caroline Plumb OBE each increased their shareholding in Mercia Asset
Management PLC by purchasing 60,000 shares, 100,000 shares, 200,000 shares, 100,000 shares, 4,000,000 shares and 40,000 shares respectively.
2 Ray Chamberlain is indirectly interested in 64,824,766 Ordinary shares via the Forward Innovation Fund (38,072,336 Ordinary shares), Croftdawn Limited (3,994,786 Ordinary
shares), Mercia Growth Nominees Limited (126,436 Ordinary shares) and Forward Nominees Limited (22,631,208 Ordinary shares as nominee for certain members of the
Chamberlain family and close associates, including Ray Chamberlain).
Ian R Metcalfe
Chair of the Remuneration Committee
13 July 2020

Independent auditor’s report to the members

of Mercia Asset Management PLC
Report on the audit of the financial statements

1. Opinion
In our opinion:
• the financial statements of Mercia Asset Management PLC (the ‘parent Company’) and its subsidiaries (the ‘Group’) give a true and fair view of
the state of the Group’s and of the parent Company’s affairs as at 31 March 2020 and of the Group’s loss for the year then ended;
• the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”) as
adopted by the European Union;
• the parent Company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting
Practice, including Financial Reporting Standard 101 ‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’; and
• the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
We have audited the financial statements which comprise:

• the consolidated statement of comprehensive income;
• the consolidated and parent Company balance sheets;
• the consolidated and parent Company statements of changes in equity;
• the consolidated cash flow statement; and
• the related notes 1 to 49.
The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the Group financial statements is applicable law and IFRSs as
adopted by the European Union. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the parent Company financial
statements is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 101 ‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’ (United Kingdom
Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
2. Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (“ISAs (UK)”) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under
those standards are further described in the auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report.
We are independent of the Group and the parent Company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the
financial statements in the UK, including the Financial Reporting Council’s (the “FRC’s”) Ethical Standard as applied to listed entities, and we have
fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements.
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
3. Summary of our audit approach
Key audit matters The key audit matters that we identified in the current year were:
• Valuation of investments
• Acquisition of VCT fund management contracts
Within this report, key audit matters are identified as follows:
Newly identified
Increased level of risk
Similar level of risk
Decreased level of risk
Materiality The materiality that we used for the Group financial statements was £2.7million which was determined on the
basis of 2.5% of the Group’s net assets less cash and cash equivalents and short-term liquidity investments.
Scoping 99% of the Group revenue and loss after taxation and 99% of net assets was audited to full scope audit.
Significant changes in our Other than the new key audit matter identified in relation to the business combination which took place in the
approach period, there were no significant changes to the prior year audit approach. However, we have considered the
impact of COVID-19 within our key audit matter in respect of the fair value of investments and in our going
concern assessment.

of Mercia Asset Management PLC continued
4. Conclusions relating to going concern

We are required by ISAs (UK) to report in respect of the following matters where: We have nothing to report in respect of
• the Directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in preparation of the financial statements these matters.
is not appropriate; or
• the Directors have not disclosed in the financial statements any identified material uncertainties
that may cast significant doubt about the Group’s or the parent Company’s ability to continue to
adopt the going concern basis of accounting for a period of at least 12 months from the date when
the financial statements are authorised for issue.
5. Key audit matters

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the financial statements of the
current period and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) that we identified. These
matters included those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy, the allocation of resources in the audit; and directing the
efforts of the engagement team.
These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do
not provide a separate opinion on these matters.
5.1 Valuation of investments

Key audit matter description As disclosed by the Directors as a critical accounting judgement in note 2 on page 85 of the Annual Report, the
judgement required to determine the appropriate valuation methodology of investments is significant. As detailed in
note 2, there is increased estimation uncertainty determining the valuation of investments at 31 March 2020 due to the
unprecedented impact of COVID-19. The Directors have assessed the impact on the markets in which each of the direct
investments operate, as well as assessing the trading performance of each investment and their respective liquidity
needs in determining the fair value of investments. The uncertainty of the duration of restrictions on operational
activity, and the pace and extent of recovery gives rise to this increased estimation uncertainty.
As disclosed in note 18, the Group has investments with a net carrying value of £87.5million (2019: £87.7million). The
majority of these investments have no quoted market price available. Based on the nature of the Group’s investments
in early-stage companies, there are often no current or short-term future earnings or positive cash flows. Therefore, it
can be difficult to evaluate the probability of success or failure of commercial development or research activities that
support the business models.
As a result, each non-listed investment is initially carried at cost, with adjustments subsequently made to reflect
changes in fair value, typically with reference to the price at which third-party transactions in the equity of that
portfolio company have taken place and the Directors’ review of the fair value of each investment.
If there is no readily available value following the ‘price of recent investment’ methodology, the Group considers
alternative methodologies requiring the Directors to make assumptions over the timing and nature of future revenues
when calculating fair value for these investments.
There is a risk with the ongoing valuation of investments since this is a highly complex area for the business and
requires judgement. The movement in the fair value of the investments has a direct impact on the results reported by
the Group.
How the scope of our audit We assessed the appropriateness of the Directors’ valuations of the investment portfolio by assessing the Directors’
responded to the key key judgements and assumptions, as follows:
audit matter • we reviewed the Directors’ processes for valuing investments, which includes a detailed review by the Executive
Directors and the Board as a whole, and evaluated whether the valuation methodologies applied are appropriate
and where applicable, appropriate alternative valuation methodologies have been considered;
• we reviewed the valuation methodology used by the Directors to assess whether it is compliant with IFRS 13 and
the 2018 IPEVC valuation guidelines;
• we obtained the Directors’ assessment of the impact of COVID-19 on each investment in the portfolio, and obtained
updated business plans for each investee to corroborate the impact of this assessment on the year end valuation;
• we engaged our valuation experts to assess the approach adopted by the Directors and evaluated the valuation
methodology applied in reference to the Group’s own valuation policies. We also considered the effects of potential
uncertainties of the impact of COVID-19 on the viability of the investments, and the additional funding
requirements required due to operational impacts of measures introduced by the UK and overseas governments in
response to the pandemic;
• we investigated any changes in the fair value of investments and corroborated any such fair value uplifts or
write-downs;
• we performed an independent assessment to identify any corroborative or contradictory evidence on the
performance of the investee companies which may impact the year end valuation assessment; and
• we reviewed the Directors’ process for valuation of each investment against the Directors’ own formalised valuation
process and investigated any exceptions.

Key observations Based on these procedures, we found the judgements and assumptions used to be materially appropriate.
We note that the valuation methodology applied by management includes a level of prudence in determining the
fair value of investment; however we concluded that the overall carrying value of investments in the financial
statements is appropriate.
5.2 Acquisition of VCT fund management contracts

Key audit matter description This is a new key audit matter for 2020 following the acquisition of three VCT fund management contracts by the
Group in December 2019, which management have concluded meet the definition of a business under IFRS 3 and
have accounted for this as a business combination. Judgement was required to determine the valuation of the
intangible assets recognised as part of the business combination, as well as to determine the fair value of
contingent deferred consideration related to the acquisition.
The three VCT contracts were acquired for an initial cash payment of £12.4million, an initial issue of shares to the
value of £4.2million and deferred contingent cash and share payments for which the fair value at the acquisition
date has been estimated at £6.2million. A contract intangible asset of £20.3million, a deferred tax liability of
£3.9million and £6.3million of goodwill have been recognised on the Group balance sheet.
We have included the key audit matter due to the quantum of the balance, its highly judgemental nature, and the
fact that it had an impact on our overall audit strategy.
Refer to notes 2, 13 and 23 for the Group accounting policy, management’s consideration of critical accounting
judgements, business combination and deferred consideration notes respectively.
How the scope of our audit Our procedures involved:
responded to the key audit • obtaining an understanding of the key controls over acquisition accounting;
matter • obtaining the underlying cash flow forecasts used to determine the value of the intangible asset, discussing
them with management, and challenging the reasonableness and consistency of the underlying forecasts by
comparing to historical results and the impact of changes to the value of funds under management in relation
to these contracts;
• agreeing the value of consideration payable to contractual agreements and to bank statements;
• assessing the assumptions used to determine the fair value of the contingent deferred consideration; and
• reviewing the associated disclosures to assess whether they are in accordance with IFRS 3.
Key observations We concur that the acquisition has been appropriately accounted for under IFRS 3 and that the assumptions and
methodology used in valuing the identified intangible assets are reasonable.
6. Our application of materiality

6.1 Materiality
We define materiality as the magnitude of misstatement in the financial statements that makes it probable that the economic decisions of a
reasonably knowledgeable person would be changed or influenced. We use materiality both in planning the scope of our audit work and in
evaluating the results of our work.
Based on our professional judgement, we determined materiality for the financial statements as a whole as follows:
Group financial statements Parent Company financial statements
Materiality £2.7million (2019: £2.3million) £1.6million (2019: £1.3million)

Basis for 2.5% (2019: 2.4%) of the Group’s net assets less cash Materiality for the parent Company was capped at 60% of
determining and cash equivalents and short-term liquidity investments. Group materiality on the basis of the relative size of this
materiality component to the Group as a whole. This represents 1.3%
(2019: 1.3%) of parent Company net assets less cash and cash
equivalents and short-term liquidity investments.
Rationale for the We determined net assets less cash and cash equivalents and short-term liquidity investments to be the most appropriate
benchmark benchmark in determining materiality as this represents the most appropriate measure to assess the performance of the Group
applied and the parent Company and which may directly influence decisions made by third-party investors.
Net assets includes amounts of cash and short-term liquidity investments, which are significant in value. We do not deem these
balances to be direct indicators of the Group’s and parent Company’s performance and growth. As such, we have determined it
appropriate to adjust net assets by removing cash and short-term liquidity investments and use the resulting value as a basis of
our materiality determination.

of Mercia Asset Management PLC continued
6.2 Performance materiality

We set performance materiality at a level lower than materiality to reduce the probability that, in aggregate, uncorrected and undetected
misstatements exceed the materiality for the financial statements as a whole. Group performance materiality was set at 70% of Group materiality
for the 2020 audit (2019: 70%). In determining performance materiality, we considered the following factors:
a. the quality of the control environment and our ability to rely on internal controls, and
b. the low number of corrected and uncorrected misstatements identified in the previous audit.
6.3 Error reporting threshold

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to the Committee all audit differences in excess of £136,000 (2019: £115,000), as well as
differences below that threshold that, in our view, warranted reporting on qualitative grounds. We also report to the Audit Committee on
disclosure matters that we identified when assessing the overall presentation of the financial statements.
7. An overview of the scope of our audit

7.1 Identification and scoping of components
Our Group audit scoping was determined by obtaining an understanding of the Group and its environment, including Group-wide controls, and
assessing the risks of material misstatement at the Group level. Based on that assessment, our Group audit scope focused on all entities within the
Group and covered all of the material balances in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income and consolidated balance sheet of
the Group.
The audit of the Group and components were executed at levels of materiality applicable to each individual entity, which were lower than Group
materiality and ranged from £1.0million to £1.6million (2019: £0.5million to £1.4million). These account for 99% of the Group’s revenue and loss
after taxation and 98% net assets. Each component of the audit was subject to full scope audit and an independent audit report is issued for each
component’s statutory financial statements. The Group has several components, all of which are in the United Kingdom. Teams from our offices in
Manchester and Birmingham have performed audit work. Furthermore, we also audited the consolidation schedule prepared at the Group level for
accuracy and completeness.
8. Other information
The Directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report, other
than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon.
Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we
do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the
other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be
materially misstated.
If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material
misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we
conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in respect of these matters.
9. Responsibilities of Directors
As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities, the Directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements
and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Directors determine is necessary to enable the
preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the Directors are responsible for assessing the Group’s and the parent Company’s ability to continue as a
going concern, disclosing as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Directors
either intend to liquidate the Group or the parent Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
10. Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement,
whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is
not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements
can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the
economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the FRC’s website at:
www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Report on other legal and regulatory requirements

11. Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
• the information given in the Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared
is consistent with the financial statements; and
• the Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Group and the parent Company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit,
we have not identified any material misstatements in the Strategic Report or the Directors’ Report.
12. Opinion on other matter prescribed by our engagement letter

In our opinion the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the provisions of the
Companies Act 2006 that would have applied were the Company a quoted company.
13. Matters on which we are required to report by exception

13.1 Adequacy of explanations received and accounting records
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion:
• we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
• adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent Company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from
branches not visited by us; or
• the parent Company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns.
We have nothing to report in respect of these matters.

13.2 Directors’ remuneration
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are also required to report if in our opinion certain disclosures of Directors’ remuneration have not been made.
We have nothing to report in respect of this matter.
14. Use of our report

This report is made solely to the Company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit
work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report
and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and
the Company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Jonathan Dodworth (Senior Statutory Auditor)

For and on behalf of Deloitte LLP
Statutory Auditor
Birmingham, UK
13 July 2020

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
For the year ended 31 March 2020

31 March 31 March
2020 2019
Note £’000 £’000
Revenue 3 12,747 10,675

Fair value movements in investments 4 (15,844) 3,916
Share-based payments charge 6 (528) (171)
Amortisation of intangible assets 15 (852) (301)
Operating (loss)/profit before exceptional items 7 (17,138) 2,004
Exceptional items 8 (695) –
Operating (loss)/profit (17,833) 2,004
Finance income 9 246 562
Finance costs 10 (26) –
(Loss)/profit before taxation (17,613) 2,566
Taxation 11 159 54
(Loss)/profit and total comprehensive (loss)/income for the financial year (17,454) 2,620
Basic and diluted (loss)/earnings per Ordinary share (pence) 12 (5.11) 0.86
All results derive from continuing operations.
The notes on pages 78 to 100 are an integral part of these financial statements.

Consolidated balance sheet

As at 31 March 2020
As at As at
31 March 31 March
2020 2019
Note £’000 £’000
Assets
Non-current assets
Goodwill 14 16,642 10,328
Intangible assets 15 20,063 584
Property, plant and equipment 16 125 153
Right-of-use assets 17 598 –
Investments 18 87,471 87,659
Total non-current assets 124,899 98,724
Current assets
Trade and other receivables 19 1,298 782
Short-term liquidity investments 20 6,215 5,188
Cash and cash equivalents 20 24,438 25,210
Total current assets 31,951 31,180
Total assets 156,850 129,904
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables 21 (4,805) (3,730)
Lease liabilities 22 (118)
Deferred consideration 23 (1,736) –
Total current liabilities (6,659) (3,730)
Non-current liabilities
Lease liabilities 22 (473) –
Deferred consideration 23 (4,446) –
Deferred taxation 24 (3,812) (109)
Total non-current liabilities (8,731) (109)
Total liabilities (15,390) (3,839)
Net assets 141,460 126,065
Equity
Issued share capital 25 4 3
Share premium 26 81,644 49,324
Other distributable reserve 27 70,000 70,000
Retained earnings (12,053) 5,401
Share-based payments reserve 1,865 1,337
Total equity 141,460 126,065
The consolidated financial statements of Mercia Asset Management PLC, registered number 09223445, on pages 74 to 100 were approved by the
Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 13 July 2020. They were signed on its behalf by:
Dr Mark Payton Martin Glanfield

Chief Executive Officer Chief Financial Officer

Consolidated cash flow statement

31 March 31 March
2020 2019
Note £’000 £’000
Cash flows from operating activities:

Operating (loss)/profit (17,833) 2,004
Adjustments to reconcile operating (loss)/profit to net cash flows used in operating
activities:
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 16 73 84
Depreciation of right-of-use assets 17 139 –
Fair value movements in investments 4 15,844 (3,916)
Share-based payments charge 6 528 171
Amortisation of intangible assets 15 852 301
Working capital adjustments:
(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables 19 (514) 306
Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables 21 1047 (4,030)
Net cash generated from/(used in) operating activities 136 (5,080)
Cash flows from direct investment activities:
Purchase of direct investments 18 (17,449) (19,384)
Investee company loan repayments 18 1,793 1,711
Net cash used in direct investment activities (15,656) (17,673)
Cash flows from other investing activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment 16 (45) (92)
Investee company loan redemption premiums and interest received 245 531
Purchase of fund management contracts 13 (12,400) –
(Increase)/decrease in short-term liquidity investments 20 (1,027) 4,812
Net cash (used in)/generated from other investing activities (13,227) 5,251
Net cash used in total investing activities (28,883) (12,422)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from the issue of Ordinary shares 25 30,000 –
Transaction costs relating to the issue of Ordinary shares 26 (1,879) –
Payment of lease liabilities (120) –
Interest paid (26) –
Redemption of subsidiary undertaking preference shares – (196)
Net cash generated from/(used in) financing activities 27,975 (196)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (772) (17,698)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 25,210 42,908
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 20 24,438 25,210

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

Issued Other Share-based

share Share distributable Retained payments
capital premium reserve earnings reserve Total
£’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000
(note 25) (note 26) (note 27)
As at 1 April 2018 3 49,324 70,000 2,977 1,166 123,470

Profit and total comprehensive income for the year – – – 2,620 – 2,620
Share-based payments charge – – – – 171 171
Redemption of subsidiary undertaking preference shares – – – (196) – (196)
As at 31 March 2019 3 49,324 70,000 5,401 1,337 126,065
Loss and total comprehensive loss for the year – – – (17,454) – (17,454)
Issue of share capital 1 34,199 – – – 34,200
Cost of share capital issued – (1,879) – – – (1,879)
As at 31 March 2020 4 81,644 70,000 (12,053) 1,865 141,460

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
1. Accounting policies
The principal accounting policies applied in the presentation of these consolidated financial statements are set out below. These policies have
been consistently applied throughout the year unless otherwise stated.
General information
Mercia Asset Management PLC (‘the Group’, ‘Mercia’) is a public limited company, incorporated and domiciled in England, United Kingdom, and
registered in England and Wales with registered number 09223445. Its Ordinary shares are admitted to trading on the AIM market of the London
Stock Exchange. The registered office address is Mercia Asset Management PLC, Forward House, 17 High Street, Henley-in-Arden, B95 5AA. Mercia
Asset Management PLC’s Ordinary shares were admitted to trading on AIM on 18 December 2014.
Details of the Group’s activities and strategy are given in the Strategic Report which begins on page 1 of this Annual Report.
For the financial year ended 31 March 2020 the following subsidiaries of Mercia were entitled to exemption from audit under section 479A of the
Companies Act 2006 relating to subsidiary companies:
Name Company number
Mercia Investments Limited 09108131

Mercia Fund 1 General Partner Limited 03676974
Mercia (General Partner) Limited 09705072
Mercia Investment Plan LP LP016783
Mercia Special Limited Partner LP LP016780
Mercia VCT Nominee Limited 10552972
Enterprise Ventures (General Partner EVF/LEV) Limited 02487876
Enterprise Ventures (General Partner HSBC UK Enterprise Fund) Limited 02816740
Enterprise Ventures (General Partner HSBC UK European Fund) Limited 03909893
Enterprise Ventures (General Partner Coalfields) Limited 04585313
Enterprise Ventures (General Partner Coalfields Growth) Limited 06354288
Enterprise Ventures (General Partner EV Growth) Limited 06354293
Enterprise Ventures (General Partner EV Growth II) Limited 10202807
Enterprise Ventures (General Partner EVG II North West) Limited 11101233
Enterprise Ventures (General Partner FY Seedcorn) Limited 07227779
Enterprise Ventures (General Partner Midlands POC) Limited 10553329
Enterprise Ventures (General Partner NE Venture) Limited 10514693
Enterprise Ventures (General Partner NPIF YHTV Equity) Limited 10514398
Enterprise Ventures (General Partner NW Development Capital) Limited 07398809
Enterprise Ventures (General Partner NW Mezzanine) Limited 08357666
Enterprise Ventures (General Partner NW Venture) Limited 07397841
Enterprise Ventures (General Partner RisingStars) Limited 04322437
Enterprise Ventures (General Partner RisingStars II) Limited 05713861
Enterprise Ventures (General Partner RSGF MPF) Limited 08379651
EVBL (General Partner SYIF SBF) Limited 05566745
EVBL (General Partner FY Small Loans) Limited 07222495
EVBL (General Partner EV SME Loans) Limited 08901773
EVBL (General Partner NPIF Y&H Debt) Limited 10514387
In accordance with section 479C of the Companies Act 2006, Mercia Asset Management PLC will guarantee the debts and liabilities of the above
subsidiary undertakings.
Basis of preparation
The consolidated financial statements of Mercia Asset Management PLC have been prepared in accordance with European Union (“EU”) endorsed
International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”), the IFRS Interpretations Committee (formerly the International Financial Reporting Interpretations
Committee (“IFRIC”)) interpretations, and the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRSs as endorsed by the EU requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also
requires management to exercise its judgement in the process of applying the Group’s accounting policies. The areas involving a higher degree of
judgement or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the financial statements, are disclosed in note 2 to these
consolidated financial statements.
The financial statements have been prepared on an historical cost basis, as modified by the revaluation of certain financial assets and financial liabilities
in accordance with IFRS 9, ‘Financial Instruments’, and explained further in the accounting policies below.
In addition, for financial reporting purposes, fair value measurements are categorised into Level 1, 2 or 3 based on the degree to which the inputs to the
fair value measurements are observable. These are described more fully below:
• Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity can access at the measurement date
• Level 2 inputs are inputs, other than quoted prices included within Level 1, that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly
• Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability

Going concern
On 30 January 2020, the World Health Organisation declared the outbreak of coronavirus (“COVID-19”) to be a public health emergency of
international concern. COVID-19 presents the biggest risk to the global economy and to individual companies since the 2008 financial crisis and has
had a severe impact on economic growth forecasts worldwide. The impacts of COVID-19 are not yet all apparent and the position will remain fluid
until the length and extent of the crisis become evident. Clearly, however, not all industries or companies will be impacted to the same degree. The
effects will be felt in a number of areas across the Group and its portfolio companies. Mercia continues to monitor and follow closely the
information released from the UK Government and the Directors continue to monitor the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has on the Group
and its portfolio companies. The full extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic may impact the Group’s future results, operations and liquidity
is uncertain.
The Directors have made an assessment of going concern, taking into account both the Group’s current performance and its outlook, which
considered the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, using the information available up to the date of issue of these consolidated financial
statements. As part of this assessment the Directors considered:
• an analysis of the adequacy of the Group’s liquidity, solvency and regulatory capital position. The analysis used has modelled a number of
adverse scenarios to assess the potential impact that COVID-19 may have on the Group’s operations and portfolio companies. The Group
manages and monitors liquidity regularly ensuring it is adequate and sufficient and this is supported by its monitoring of investments,
operating expenses and receipt of portfolio cash income. In addition, Mercia raised £30.0million gross proceeds through its successful placing
in December 2019. As at 31 March 2020 liquidity, comprising unrestricted cash and short-term liquidity investments, remained strong at
£30.2million (31 March 2019: £29.8million);
• any potential valuation concerns with respect to the Group’s direct investment portfolio as set out in these consolidated financial statements.
The approach to valuations was consistent with the normal process and valuation policy. A key focus of the portfolio valuations at 31 March
2020 was an assessment of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on each portfolio company, considering the performance before the outbreak
of COVID-19, as well as the projected short-term impact on the ability to generate earnings and cash flows, and also the longer-term view of
each company’s ability to recover;
• the operational resilience of the Group’s critical functions, which includes the wellbeing of its staff and the resilience of its IT systems. COVID-19
has emphasised the importance of Mercia’s and its portfolio companies’ focus on keeping employees safe, motivated and able to continue to
fulfil their roles effectively where possible; and
• an assessment of the Group’s supplier base, considering any single points of failure and contingency plans, should suppliers be deemed at risk.
Based on the overall strength of the Group’s balance sheet, including its significant liquidity position at the year end, together with its forecast
future operating and investment activities, and having considered the impact of COVID-19 on the Group’s operations and portfolio, the Directors
have a reasonable expectation that the Group is well placed to manage business risks in the current economic environment and has adequate
financial resources to continue in operational existence for a period of at least 12 months from the date of this report. Accordingly, the Directors
continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing these consolidated financial statements.
Basis of consolidation
Subsidiaries
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the financial statements of Mercia Asset Management PLC and entities controlled by it (its
subsidiaries). Other than Mercia Fund 1 General Partner Limited (which is 98% owned) and Mercia Investment Plan LP (which is 90% owned), all
subsidiaries are 100% equity owned and have been included in the consolidated financial statements. Control is achieved when the Group:
• has power over the subsidiary;

• is exposed, or has rights, to a variable return from its involvement with the subsidiary; and
• has the ability to use its power to affect its returns.
The Group reassesses whether or not it controls a subsidiary company if facts and circumstances indicate that there are changes to one or more of
the three elements of control listed above.
When the Group has less than a majority of the voting rights of an investee company, it considers that it has power over the investee company
when the voting rights are sufficient to give it the practical ability to direct the relevant activities of the investee company unilaterally. The Group
considers all relevant facts and circumstances in assessing whether or not the Group’s voting rights in an investee company are sufficient to give it
power, including:
• the size of the Group’s holding of voting rights relative to the size and dispersion of holdings of the other vote holders;
• potential voting rights held by the Group, other vote holders or other parties;
• rights arising from other contractual arrangements; and
• any additional facts and circumstances that indicate that the Group has, or does not have, the current ability to direct the relevant activities at
the time that decisions need to be made, including voting patterns at previous shareholders’ meetings.
Subsidiaries and subsidiary undertakings are consolidated from the date of their acquisition, being the date on which the Group obtains control,
and continue to be consolidated until the date that such control ceases.
All intragroup assets and liabilities, equity, income, expenses and cash flows relating to transactions between the members of the Group are
eliminated on consolidation.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued
1. Accounting policies continued

Business combinations
The Group accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method from the date that control is transferred to the Group. Both the identifiable
net assets and the consideration transferred in the acquisition are measured at fair value and transaction costs are expensed as incurred. Goodwill arising
on acquisitions is tested annually for impairment. Deferred consideration payable to the vendors is measured at fair value at acquisition and assessed
annually with particular reference to the conditions upon which the consideration is contingent.
Direct investments
Investments that are held as part of the Group’s investment portfolio are carried in the balance sheet at fair value even though the Group may have
significant influence over those companies. This treatment is permitted by IAS 28 ‘Investments in Associates’, which requires such investments to be
excluded from its scope where those investments are designated upon initial recognition, as at fair value through profit or loss and accounted for in
accordance with IFRS 9 ‘Financial Instruments’, with changes in fair value recognised in the relevant period.
New standards, interpretations and amendments effective in the current financial year
The following new standards became effective in the current financial year:
Amendments to IFRS 3, ‘Business Combinations’
Amendments to IFRS 9, ‘Financial Instruments’
Amendments to IAS 12, ‘Income Taxes’
Amendments to IAS 19, ‘Employee Benefits’
Amendments to IAS 23, ‘Borrowing Costs’
Amendments to IAS 28, ‘Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures’
Annual Improvements to IFRS Standards 2015-2017 Cycle
There are no other IFRSs or IFRIC interpretations that are effective that would be expected to have a material impact on the Group.
IFRS 16, ‘Leases’, is effective for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019. It replaces IAS 17, ‘Leases’, and introduces new or amended
requirements with respect to lease accounting.
The new standard introduces significant changes to lessee accounting by removing the distinction between operating and finance leases, requiring the
recognition of a right-of-use asset and a lease liability at commencement for all leases, except for short-term leases and leases of low-value assets when
such recognition exemptions are adopted. The impact of the adoption of IFRS 16 on the Group’s consolidated financial statements is described below.
The Group has applied IFRS 16 using the cumulative catch-up approach which:
• requires the Group to recognise the cumulative effect of initially applying IFRS 16 as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings at the
date of initial application; and
• does not require restatement of comparatives, which continue to be presented under IAS 17 and IFRIC 4.
Impact of the new definition of a lease

The Group has made use of the practical expedient available on transition to IFRS 16 not to reassess whether a contract is or contains a lease. Accordingly,
the definition of a lease in accordance with IAS 17 and IFRIC 4 will continue to be applied to those leases entered into or changed before 1 January 2019.
The change in definition of a lease mainly relates to the concept of control. IFRS 16 determines whether a contract contains a lease on the basis of whether
the customer has the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. This is in contrast to the focus on
‘risks and rewards’ in IAS 17 and IFRIC 4.
The Group has applied the definition of a lease and related guidance set out in IFRS 16 to all lease contracts entered into or changed on or after 1 January
2019. In preparation for the first-time application of IFRS 16, the Group carried out an implementation project. The outcome of the project was that the
new definition in IFRS 16 will not significantly change the scope of contracts that meet the definition of a lease for the Group.
Impact on lessee accounting

IFRS 16 changes how the Group accounts for leases previously classified as operating leases under IAS 17, which were off-balance sheet. Payments under
operating leases were recognised in the Group’s consolidated statement of comprehensive income on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.
Applying IFRS 16 for all leases except as noted below, the Group:
• recognises right-of-use assets and lease liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet, initially measured at the present value of the future lease
payments, with the right-of-use assets adjusted by the amount of any prepaid or accrued lease payments in accordance with IFRS 16: C8(b)(ii);
• recognises depreciation of right-of-use assets and interest on lease liabilities in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income; and
• separates the total amount of cash paid into a principal portion (presented within financing activities) and interest (also presented within financing
activities) in the consolidated cash flow statement.

Lease incentives (eg rent-free periods) are recognised as part of the measurement of the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities whereas under IAS
17 they resulted in the recognition of a lease incentive, amortised as a reduction of rental expenses on a straight-line basis.
Under IFRS 16, right-of-use assets are tested for impairment in accordance with IAS 36.
For short-term leases (lease term of 12 months or less) and leases of low-value assets (which includes portable electronic devices, small items of
office furniture and fixed telephones), the Group has opted to recognise a lease expense on a straight-line basis as permitted by IFRS 16. This
expense is included within ‘other administrative expenses’ in profit or loss.
The Group has used the following practical expedients when applying the cumulative catch-up approach to leases previously classified as
operating leases applying IAS 17:
• The Group has applied a single discount rate to a portfolio of leases with reasonably similar characteristics.
• The Group has adjusted the right-of-use assets at the date of initial application by the amount of provision for onerous leases recognised
under IAS 37 in the consolidated balance sheet immediately before the date of initial application, as an alternative to performing an
impairment review.
• The Group has elected not to recognise right-of-use assets and lease liabilities to leases for which the lease term ends within 12 months of the
date of initial application.
• The Group has excluded initial direct costs from the measurement of the right-of-use assets at the date of initial application.
• The Group has used hindsight when determining the lease term when the contract contains options to extend or terminate the lease.
The financial impact of the adoption of IFRS 16 is set out in note 22 to these consolidated financial statements.
New standards, interpretations and amendments not yet effective

At the date of approving these financial statements, the following standards and interpretations, which have not been applied in these
consolidated financial statements, were in issue but not yet effective:
Amendments to IFRS 3 ‘Business Combinations’ – effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2020.
IFRS 10 ‘Consolidated Financial Statements’ and Amendments to IAS 28 ‘Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures’ – deferred indefinitely.
IFRS 17 ‘Insurance Contracts’ – effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2021.
Amendments to IAS 1 ‘Presentation of Financial Statements’ – effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2022.
Amendments to IAS 8 ‘Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors’ – effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or
after 1 January 2020.
Amendments to References to the Conceptual Framework in IFRS Standards – effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after
1 January 2020.
There are no other IFRSs or IFRIC interpretations that are not yet effective that would be expected to have a material impact on the Group.
Revenue recognition
Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable and represents amounts receivable for services provided in the
normal course of business, net of VAT. All revenue from services is generated within the United Kingdom. Revenue is recognised when the Group
satisfies its performance obligations, in line with IFRS 15. Revenue from services comprises:
Fund management fees

Fund management fees are generally earned as a fixed percentage of funds under management and are recognised as the related services are
provided, as performance obligations are met. Cash receipts in relation to revenues earned are generally received shortly after the start of the
relevant invoicing period.
Initial management fees

Initial management fees are generally earned as a fixed percentage of the amounts invested by the Group in recognition of the work involved in
each investment round, are one-off payments made by the investee company and are recognised when the performance obligation of providing
those services is satisfied at a point in time, being upon completion of the investment. Cash receipts in relation to revenues earned are generally
received shortly after completion of the relevant investment.
Portfolio directors’ fees

Portfolio directors’ fees are earned either as a percentage of the amounts invested by the Group, or as a fixed amount. These are usually annual
fees, typically charged quarterly in advance to the investee company. They are distinct and separable to annual fund management fees and initial
management fees. Amounts invoiced are recorded as deferred income, included in current liabilities and then amortised in the consolidated
statement of comprehensive income over the contractual period for which the related services are provided, as performance obligations are met.
Cash receipts in relation to revenues earned are generally received shortly after the start of the relevant invoicing period.


Interest income
Interest income earned on cash deposits and short-term liquidity investments is recognised when it is probable that the economic benefits will
flow to the Group and the amount of revenue can be measured reliably. Interest income is accrued on a time basis, by reference to the principal
outstanding and at the interest rate applicable.
Exceptional items
The Group classifies items of income and expenditure as exceptional when, in the opinion of the Directors, the nature of the item or its size is likely
to be material, so as to assist the reader of the financial statements to better understand the results of the operations of the Group. Such items are
by their nature not expected to recur as part of the normal operation of the business and are shown separately on the face of the consolidated
statement of comprehensive income.
Leases
A lease is defined as a contract that conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. All
operating leases in excess of one year, where the Group is the lessee, are included on the Group’s balance sheet and recognised as a right-of-use
asset and a related lease liability representing the obligation to make lease payments.
The right-of-use asset is initially measured at cost, which comprises the initial amount of the lease liability adjusted for any lease payments made
at or before the commencement date, plus any initial direct costs incurred. Subsequently, the right-of-use asset is depreciated using the straight-
line method from the commencement date to the earlier of the end of the useful life of the right-of-use asset or the end of the lease term. The
estimated useful lives of right-of-use assets are determined on the same basis as those of property and equipment. The right-of-use assets are
reviewed annually for impairment in accordance with IAS 36, ‘Impairment of Assets’.
The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments that are not paid at the commencement date, discounted using
the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if that rate cannot be readily determined, the Group’s incremental borrowing rate. Subsequently the lease
liability decreases by the lease payments made, offset by interest on the liability, and may be remeasured to reflect any reassessment of expected
payments or to reflect any lease modifications.
Short-term leases (lease term of 12 months or less) and leases of low-value assets (which includes portable electronic devices, small items of office
furniture and fixed telephones) are expensed on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease and presented within ‘other administrative
expenses’ in profit or loss.
Retirement benefit costs

Payments to defined contribution personal pension plans are recognised as an expense when employees have rendered a service entitling them to
the contributions. Differences between contributions payable in the period and contributions actually paid are shown as either accruals or
prepayments in the consolidated balance sheet.
Taxation
The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax. Current and deferred tax are recognised in profit or loss, except
when they relate to items that are recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, in which case the current and deferred tax are
also recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity respectively. Where current or deferred tax arises from the initial accounting
of a business combination, the tax effect is included in the accounting for the business combination.
The tax currently payable is based on the taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the consolidated statement
of comprehensive income because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other periods and it further excludes
items that are never taxable or deductible.
The Group’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.
Deferred tax is the tax expected to be payable or recoverable on differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial
statements and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation of taxable profit, using the balance sheet liability method. Deferred tax
liabilities are generally recognised for all taxable temporary timing differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is
probable that taxable profits will be available, against which deductible temporary differences can be utilised.
Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the temporary difference arises from the initial recognition of goodwill or from the initial
recognition (other than in a business combination) of other assets and liabilities, in a transaction that affects neither the taxable profit nor the
accounting profit.
Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for taxable temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries except where the Group is able to
control the reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.
Deferred tax assets arising from deductible temporary differences associated with such investments are only recognised to the extent that it is
probable that there will be sufficient taxable profits against which to utilise the benefits of the temporary differences and they are expected to
reverse in the foreseeable future.

The Group primarily seeks to generate capital gains from its holdings in direct investments over the longer term but has, since its IPO in December 2014,
made annual net operating losses (excluding fair value movements) from its operations from a UK tax perspective. Capital gains arising from the disposal
of direct investments would ordinarily be taxed upon realisation of such investments. However, since the Group’s activities are substantially trading in
nature, the Directors continue to believe that it qualifies for the Substantial Shareholdings Exemption (“SSE”). This exemption provides that gains arising
on the disposal of qualifying investments are not chargeable to UK corporation tax and, as such, the Group has continued not to recognise a provision for
deferred taxation in respect of fair value gains in those investments that meet the qualifying criteria. Gains arising on the disposal of non-qualifying
investments would ordinarily give rise to taxable profits for the Group, to the extent that these exceed the Group’s operating losses from time to time.
Intangible assets
Identifiable intangible assets are recognised when the Group controls the assets, it is probable that future economic benefits attributable to the assets
will flow to the Group and the fair value of the assets can be measured reliably.
Intangible assets represent contractual arrangements in respect of third-party limited partners’ and other similar investors’ funds under management
acquired through the acquisition of Enterprise Ventures Group Limited (‘Enterprise Ventures’) and in respect of funds under management acquired
through the acquisition of the venture capital trust (“VCT”) fund management business of NVM Private Equity LLP (“NVM”). At the date of acquisition the
fair values of these contracts were calculated and subsequently the assets are held at amortised cost. The fair value of the intangible assets arising from
the acquisition of Enterprise Ventures is being amortised on a straight-line basis over the expected average duration of the remaining fund management
contracts of five years, so as to write off the fair value of the contracts less their estimated residual values. The fair value of the intangible assets arising
from the acquisition of the VCT fund management business of NVM is being amortised on a straight-line basis over the expected useful life of the fund
management contracts.
Goodwill
Goodwill arising on the acquisition of a subsidiary represents the excess of the fair value of the consideration given over the fair value of the identifiable
net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortised but is reviewed annually for impairment in accordance with IAS 36, ‘Impairment of Assets’.
Property, plant and equipment

Tangible assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any recognised impairment loss. Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the
cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their expected useful lives, using the straight-line method, on the following basis:
Furniture, fixtures and office equipment 33%

Leasehold improvements over the remaining life of the lease
The estimated useful lives, residual values and depreciation method are reviewed at the end of each reporting period, with the effect of any changes in
estimate accounted for on a prospective basis.
Financial instruments
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised in the Group’s balance sheet when the Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the
instrument. Financial assets and financial liabilities are initially measured at fair value. Transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition or
issue of financial assets and financial liabilities (other than financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss) are added to or
deducted from the fair value of the financial assets or financial liabilities, as appropriate, on initial recognition. Transaction costs directly attributable to
the acquisition of financial assets or financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss are recognised immediately in profit or loss.
Financial assets
All financial assets are recognised and derecognised on a trade date where the purchase or sale of a financial asset is under a contract whose
terms require delivery of the financial asset within the time frame established by the market concerned, and are initially measured at fair value, plus
transaction costs, except for those financial assets classified as at fair value through profit or loss (“FVTPL”), which are initially measured at fair value.
Financial assets are classified into the following specified categories: FVTPL and ‘amortised cost’. The classification depends on the nature and purpose
of the financial assets and is determined at the time of initial recognition.
Amortised cost
Financial assets that were part of the category of ‘loans and receivables’ under IAS 39 ‘Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement’ are now are
measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any expected losses and categorised as financial assets held at amortised cost.
The Group’s financial assets held at amortised cost comprise trade receivables, loans and other receivables that have fixed or determinable payments
that are not quoted in an active market. They arise principally through the provision of services to customers (trade receivables).
Financial assets that meet the following conditions are measured subsequently at amortised cost:
• the financial asset is held within a business model whose objective is to hold financial assets in order to collect contractual cash flows; and
• the contractual terms of the financial asset give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal
amount outstanding.


Financial assets that meet the following conditions are measured subsequently at fair value through other comprehensive income (“FVTOCI”):
• the financial asset is held within a business model whose objective is achieved by both collecting contractual cash flows and selling the financial
assets; and
• the contractual terms of the financial asset give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal
amount outstanding.
By default, all other financial assets are measured subsequently at FVTPL.
Valuation of financial assets held at fair value

The fair values of quoted investments are based on bid prices at the balance sheet date.
The judgement required to determine the appropriate valuation methodology of unquoted equity investments means there is a risk of material
adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities. This is a critical accounting judgement and as a result, is set out in more detail in note
2 of these financial statements.
Derecognition of financial assets

The Group derecognises a financial asset when the contractual rights to receive the cash flows from the asset expire. On derecognition of a
financial asset in its entirety, the difference between the asset’s fair value and the sum of the consideration received is recognised as a realised
gain or loss on disposal of investment in profit or loss.
Financial liabilities and equity instruments

Financial liabilities
Current financial liabilities are composed of trade payables and other short-term monetary liabilities, which are recognised at amortised cost.
Equity instruments
An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of an entity after deducting all of its liabilities. Equity
instruments issued by the Group are recognised as the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs. Repurchase of the Company’s own equity
instruments is recognised and deducted directly in equity. No gain or loss is recognised in profit or loss on the purchase, sale, issue or cancellation
of the Company’s own equity instruments.
Provisions
Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, it is probable that the Group
will be required to settle that obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.
The amount recognised as a provision is the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present obligation at the balance sheet date,
taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation.
Where a provision is measured using the cash flows estimated to settle the present obligation, its carrying amount is the present value of those
cash flows.
When some or all of the economic benefits required to settle a provision are expected to be recovered from a third party, a receivable is recognised
as an asset if it is virtually certain that reimbursement will be received and the amount of the receivable can be measured reliably.
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term liquidity investments

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held with banks and other short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities
of less than three months. Short-term liquid investments with a maturity of over three months and less than 12 months are included in a separate
category, ‘short-term liquidity investments’.
Share-based payments
Equity-settled share-based payments to Executive Directors and certain employees of the Group, whereby recipients render services in exchange
for shares or rights over shares, are measured at the fair value of the equity instruments at the grant date. Details regarding the determination of
the fair value of equity-settled share-based transactions are set out in note 6 to these consolidated financial statements.
The fair value determined at the grant date is expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, based on the Group’s estimate of the equity
instruments that will eventually vest. At each balance sheet date, the Group reviews its estimate.
The impact of any revision to the previous estimate is recognised in profit or loss, such that the cumulative expense reflects the revised estimate,
with a corresponding adjustment to equity.
Segmental reporting
An operating segment is a component of an entity that engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses
(including revenues and expenses relating to transactions with other components of the same entity), whose operating results are regularly
reviewed by the entity’s Chief Operating Decision Maker to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and assess its
performance, and for which discrete financial information is available. Operating segments are aggregated into reporting segments where they
share similar economic characteristics. Note 3 to these consolidated financial statements gives further details on the Group’s segmental reporting.

2. Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

In the application of the Group’s accounting policies described in note 1 above, the Directors are required to make judgements, estimates and
assumptions about the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated
assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in
which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both
current and future periods.
The Directors have made the following judgements and estimates, which have had the most significant effect on the carrying amounts of the
assets and liabilities in these consolidated financial statements.
Fair value measurements and valuation processes

The judgements required to determine the appropriate valuation methodology of unquoted equity investments means there is risk of a material
adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities. These judgements include a decision whether or not to impair or uplift investment
valuations.
The fair value of unlisted securities is established using the International Private Equity and Venture Capital Valuation Guidelines (“IPEVCVG”),
as revised on 21 December 2018 and effective for accounting periods beginning after 1 January 2019.
Investments are measured at fair value at each measurement date. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset in an orderly
transaction between market participants at the measurement date. A fair value measurement assumes that a hypothetical transaction to sell an asset
takes place in the principal market or, in its absence, the most advantageous market for the asset. For quoted investments, available market prices
will be the exclusive basis for the measurement of fair value for identical instruments. For unquoted investments, the measurement of fair value
requires the valuer to assume the underlying business or instrument is realised or sold at the measurement date, appropriately allocated to the
various interests, regardless of whether the underlying business is prepared for sale or whether its shareholders intend to sell in the near future.
In estimating fair value for an investment, the valuer should apply a methodology that is appropriate in light of the nature, facts and circumstances
of the investment in the context of the total investment portfolio and should use reasonable current market data and inputs, combined with
reasonable market participant assumptions.
The price of recent investment can be used to estimate the enterprise value, before allocating to the various interests. The Group believes that this
is still the most relevant technique to measure fair value for early-stage investments. However, it has also taken into consideration time elapsed,
performance since and external market events to help inform its judgements.
0-6 months post last funding round

The Group will apply the price of a recent investment for up to six months post the last funding round, subject to there being no material change to
the investee company’s prospects (which would include the prospects of drawing down the next tranche or raising the next round of funding).
7-18 months post last funding round

Beyond the six months point, the Group seeks assurance that the investee company is progressing against the development milestones which
were set out in the initial assessment. Failing to hit milestones will not necessarily impact the valuation – this may simply be an indicator that
incremental value will take longer to deliver, but the performance against milestones is assessed as an indicator of a potential change in value.
The Group will be cautious about increasing the valuation of an early-stage investee company unless it is based on a new market price or
maintainable revenues and/or earnings.
19+ months post last funding round

From this point onwards, the Group looks for additional support for the ‘price of recent investment’ by calibrating back to that using a discounted
cash flow (“DCF”) methodology. However, unless the investee company has become established with maintainable revenues and/or earnings and
can be valued on an earnings basis, given the inherent risk in early-stage investing and the lack or reliability of using estimates of such metrics yet
to be delivered a number of years into the future, the Group is unlikely to increase the fair value even if a DCF calculation suggests a higher value.
Nevertheless, the DCF calculation helps support the proposed fair value at the valuation point.
A key focus of the portfolio valuations as at 31 March 2020 was an assessment of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on each investee company’s
enterprise value, considering the performance before the outbreak of COVID-19, as well as the projected short-term impact on the ability to
generate earnings and cash flows, and also the longer-term view of each investee company’s ability to recover.
The Group has applied a COVID-19 overlay (assessing some 13 criteria) to help ascertain the potential effects on each of the investee companies’
enterprise values. The overall reductions in prices of listed entities was used as a basis to determine a range of COVID-19 discounts between 25%
and 100%. The methodology for determining the valuation of investments has been predominantly based on taking the enterprise value from the
last funding round and then applying a COVID-19 discount where applicable. This assessment is based on Mercia’s knowledge of the investee
companies and of the specific effects seen as relevant to each sector within which the investee companies operate. The Group then looked closer
at each investee company to assess any mitigating factors (eg Mercia’s defensive investment structuring), comparable asset or sector performance
to arrive at our valuation.

2. Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty continued

The uncertainty surrounding the ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant judgement in respect of the future cash
flows and hence enterprise values for some of the Group’s direct investments. This includes estimation in relation to liquidity and delays to debtor
payments; forecast revenue, supply chain, employee and slower growth effects; and the offsetting impact of the Government’s and the Bank of
England’s mitigation measures. The discounts applied to those direct investments which have had fair value decreases in the period reflect
increased uncertainty around the duration of stay-at-home and social distancing policies, the speed of recovery from those policies, future
inflation, power and oil prices, as well as company-specific factors. These uncertainties have also been reflected in the volatility seen in public
markets since March 2020. The direct investment portfolio is diversified by sector and underlying risk exposures. Consideration was also given to
the impact of stay-at-home and social distancing policies on the customers of the Group’s investee companies, including on their viability and
access to liquidity. Almost all of the Group’s investee companies have continued to operate since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As described above, the macroeconomic uncertainty has created uncertainty in the fair value of the direct investment portfolio. The Directors
believe that they have reflected this uncertainty in a balanced way through the assumptions used in the valuations of each investee company.
The Directors have assessed the estimates made in relation to each individual valuation and do not believe that a reasonable possible change in
estimate would result in a material change in the value of each investment.
Accounting for the acquisition of the VCT fund management business of NVM Private Equity LLP
On 23 December 2019 Mercia completed the acquisition of the venture capital trust (“VCT”) fund management business of NVM Private Equity LLP
(“NVM”), which comprised the acquisition of three fund management contracts (‘the Northern VCT contracts’) and the transfer of NVM’s VCT
investment team. Further details are included in note 13 to these consolidated financial statements. The fund management contracts acquired in
the transaction have been fair valued at acquisition with reference to the forecast cash revenues from each contract, less the forecast costs
associated with servicing those contracts, over an expected useful life of 10 years for each of the three fund management contracts, discounted at
the rate of 15%. The discount applied is reflective of, inter alia, the risk profile of the contracts acquired and is considered a significant assumption.
Should the discount rate be increased by 1%, the value of the fund management contracts would reduce by £800,000 with goodwill increasing by a
corresponding amount. The expected useful life is considered a significant assumption. Should it be increased by one year, the value of the fund
management contracts would increase by £1,300,000 with goodwill decreasing by a corresponding amount. Should the cash revenues from each
contract less the costs associated with servicing those contracts increase by 1%, the value of the fund management contracts would increase by
£200,000 with goodwill decreasing by a corresponding amount.
Goodwill has been recognised as the difference between the fair value of consideration paid and the fair value of the fund management contracts
acquired. Further details are included in note 14 to these consolidated financial statements.
Valuation of deferred consideration

The fair value of the deferred consideration payable to NVM in respect of the acquisition of its VCT fund management business, contingent upon
certain conditions being met, has been estimated with reference to the contractual obligations as at 31 March 2020. The conditions upon which
payment of the deferred consideration is contingent are outlined below and included in note 23 to these consolidated financial statements.
The first condition is that no termination notice is served by any of the three Northern VCT boards before the first, second and third anniversaries
of completion. There are no indications to date that notice will be given, so this has been assumed to be true and the value payable discounted
by 10%.
The second condition is that the Group receives at least £16,000,000 of fees in respect of the VCT fund management contracts during the three
years post completion. The third condition is that, during the same three-year period, the Northern VCTs collectively raise at least £60,000,000 in
new capital. The fair value of the deferred consideration in respect of these two conditions has been based on a weighted probability of outcomes
over the three-year period and discounted by 10%.
The discount applied is reflective of the risk profile of the conditions being met and is considered a significant assumption. Should the discount
rate be increased by 1%, the value of the deferred consideration would reduce by £200,000 with goodwill decreasing by a corresponding amount.
3. Segmental reporting
For the year ended 31 March 2020, the Group’s revenue and loss were derived from its principal activity within the United Kingdom.
IFRS 8 ‘Operating Segments’ defines operating segments as those activities of an entity about which separate financial information is available
and which are evaluated by the Chief Operating Decision Maker to assess performance and determine the allocation of resources. The Chief
Operating Decision Maker has been identified as the Board of Directors. The Directors are of the opinion that under IFRS 8 the Group has only
one operating segment, being proactive specialist asset management, because the results of the Group are monitored on a Group-wide basis.
The Board of Directors assesses the performance of the operating segment using financial information which is measured and presented in a
consistent manner.

An analysis of the Group’s revenue is as follows:

31 March 31 March
2020 2019
£’000 £’000
Fund management fees 8,861 7,282

Initial management fees 1,286 1,134
Portfolio directors’ fees 2,380 2,139
Other revenue 220 120
12,747 10,675
4. Fair value movements in investments

31 March 31 March
2020 2019
£’000 £’000
Net fair value movements in investments (note 18) (15,844) 3,916
No other gains or losses have been recognised in respect of financial assets held at amortised cost. No gains or losses have been recognised on
financial liabilities held at amortised cost.
5. Employees and Directors

The average monthly number of persons (including Executive and Non-executive Directors) employed by the Group during the year was:
31 March 31 March
2020 2019
Number Number
Asset management 63 61
Central functions 28 24
91 85
Central functions comprise senior management (including Executive and Non-executive Directors), finance, compliance, legal, administration,
people and talent, and marketing.
The aggregate employee benefit expense (including Executive and Non-executive Directors) was:
31 March 31 March
2020 2019
£’000 £’000
Wages and salaries 7,442 7,006

Social security costs 768 917
Other pension costs (note 28) 570 479
8,780 8,402
The Directors represent the key management personnel. Detailed disclosures in respect of Directors’ remuneration are included in the audited
section of the Remuneration Report on 67, which forms part of these financial statements.

6. Share-based payments
The Group operates share option schemes for Executive Directors and all employees of the Group. Further details are set out on pages 66 to 68 of
the Remuneration Report.
Total options existing over Ordinary shares as at 31 March 2020 are summarised below:
Date Date Number of Exercise
Scheme of grant of expiry share options price
Approved share option scheme 8 December 2014 7 December 2024 – 50.00p

31 July 2015 30 July 2025 – 70.00p
11 August 2015 10 August 2025 – 69.00p
27 July 2016 26 July 2026 – 51.25p
24 April 2017 23 April 2027 416,296 40.05p
24 July 2017 23 July 2027 55,000 36.00p
15 December 2017 14 December 2027 228,000 37.25p
28 August 2018 27 August 2028 911,445 30.80p
31 July 2019 30 July 2029 2,248,444 33.50p
28 January 2020 27 January 2030 1,814,568 24.30p
Unapproved share option scheme 8 December 2014 7 December 2024 – 50.00p

31 July 2015 30 July 2025 – 57.50p
11 August 2015 10 August 2025 – 57.50p
27 July 2016 26 July 2026 – 51.25p
24 April 2017 23 April 2027 283,704 40.05p
24 July 2017 23 July 2027 1,650,000 36.00p
15 December 2017 14 December 2027 – 37.25p
28 August 2018 27 August 2028 3,285,555 30.80p
31 July 2019 30 July 2029 1,209,556 33.50p
28 January 2020 27 January 2030 3,597,572 24.30p
15,700,140
Details of the share options outstanding as at 31 March 2020 and 31 March 2019 are as follows:
Year ended 31 March 2020 Year ended 31 March 2019
Weighted Weighted
Number of average Number of average
share exercise share exercise
options price options price
Share options outstanding as at 1 April 13,413,000 41.99p 11,702,000 43.70p

Granted during the year 9,040,140 27.99p 4,629,000 30.80p
Forfeited during the year (1,108,000) 36.03p (2,168,000) 51.22p
Exercised during the year – – – –
Expired during the year (5,645,000) 50.81p (750,000) 56.50p
Share options outstanding as at 31 March 15,700,140 30.22p 13,413,000 41.99p
There were no options exercised during the financial year. The options outstanding as at 31 March 2020 had a weighted average exercise price of
30.22 pence and a weighted average remaining contractual life of two years.

Fair value charge

The fair value charge for the share options in issue has been based on the Black-Scholes model with the following key assumptions:
Share price Assumed
Exercise at date of Risk-free time Assumed Fair value
Date of grant price grant rate to exercise volatility per option
8 December 2014 50.00p 50.00p 1.0% 10 years 30% 19.84p

31 July 2015 70.00p 70.00p 1.0% 10 years 30% 27.78p
31 July 2015 57.50p 70.00p 1.0% 10 years 30% 32.24p
11 August 2015 69.00p 69.00p 1.0% 10 years 30% 27.38p
11 August 2015 57.50p 69.00p 1.0% 10 years 30% 31.45p
27 July 2016 51.25p 51.25p 1.0% 10 years 30% 20.35p
24 April 2017 40.05p 40.05p 1.0% 10 years 30% 15.89p
24 July 2017 36.00p 36.00p 1.0% 10 years 30% 14.28p
15 December 2017 37.25p 37.25p 1.0% 10 years 30% 14.78p
28 August 2018 30.80p 30.80p 1.0% 10 years 30% 12.22p
31 July 2019 33.50p 33.50p 1.0% 10 years 30% 13.29p
28 January 2020 24.30p 24.30p 1.0% 10 years 30% 9.64p
Options were granted in the financial year on 31 July 2019 and 28 January 2020. The aggregate of the estimated fair values of the options granted
on those dates is £2,531,000.
No dividends are assumed. The risk-free rate is taken from the yield on zero coupon United Kingdom Government bonds on a term consistent with
the expected life. Assumed volatility is based on a review of comparators and analysis of movements in the Group’s share price since listing.
The Group did not enter into any share-based payment transactions with parties other than Executive Directors and employees during the year.
The total charge for the year recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income for share options granted to Executive Directors
and employees was £528,000 (2019: £171,000).
7. Operating loss before exceptional items

Operating loss before exceptional items is stated after charging:

31 March 31 March
2020 2019
£’000 £’000
Other administrative expenses:

Staff costs (note 5) 8,780 8,402
Marketing, professional adviser, travel and entertainment and other administration costs 3,297 3,103
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment (note 16) 73 84
Depreciation of right-of-use assets (note 17) 139 –
Expenses relating to short-term leases and leases of low-value assets 218 –
Operating lease costs – 364
Auditor’s remuneration:
– Fees payable to the Company’s auditor for the audit of the Company and consolidated accounts 69 43
– Fees payable to the Company’s auditor for other services:
– The audit of the interim accounts of the Company 20 22
– The audit of accounts of subsidiaries of the Company 35 67
– CASS related assurance services 30 30
Total other administrative expenses 12,661 12,115
Share-based payments charge (note 6) 528 171
Amortisation of intangible assets (note 15) 852 301
Total administrative expenses 14,041 12,587
As part of the Group’s placing and its acquisition of the venture capital trust (“VCT”) fund management business of NVM Private Equity LLP,
auditor's due diligence and advisory fees were incurred totalling £173,000, of which £36,000 is included in equity as share issue related costs and
£137,000 is charged to the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, as an exceptional non-trading and non-recurring cost.

8. Exceptional items
The exceptional items for the year ended 31 March 2020 represent costs incurred in the acquisition of the VCT fund management business of NVM
Private Equity LLP in December 2019 and restructuring costs.
Total acquisition costs amounted to £384,000. Of this total £87,000 were share issue related costs and have been charged to the share premium
account (note 26). The balance of £297,000 has been charged to the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, as an exceptional
non-trading and non-recurring cost.
The balance of £398,000 is in respect of staff related costs incurred in connection with a restructuring which took place in March 2020.
9. Finance income
31 March 31 March
2020 2019
£’000 £’000
Interest income arising from:

Cash and cash equivalents 101 147
Short-term liquidity investments 29 74
Investee company loans (interest and redemption premiums) 116 341
Total interest receivable 246 562
10. Finance costs

31 March 31 March
2020 2019
£’000 £’000
Interest costs arising from:

Interest payable on leases 26 –
Total interest payable 26 –
11. Taxation
31 March 31 March
2020 2019
£’000 £’000
Corporation tax:
Current year – –
Deferred tax (159) (54)
(159) (54)
The UK standard rate of corporation tax is 19% (2019: 19%). There is no current tax charge in the year (2019: £nil). The deferred tax credit of
£159,000 (2019: £54,000) represents the unwinding of the deferred tax liabilities recognised in respect of the intangible assets arising on the
acquisition of Enterprise Ventures and the acquisition of the VCT fund management business of NVM Private Equity LLP.
A reconciliation from the reported loss to the total tax credit is shown below:
31 March 31 March
2020 2019
£’000 £’000
(Loss)/profit before taxation (17,613) 2,566

Tax at the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 19% (2019: 19%) (3,347) 488
Effects of:
Income not subject to tax (1,200) (913)
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes 3,181 (1,210)
Other timing differences not recognised 1,366 1,635
Unwinding of deferred tax liability (159) (54)
Total tax credit (159) (54)

Changes to the UK corporation tax rates were substantively enacted as part of Finance Bill 2015 (on 26 October 2015) and Finance Bill 2016 (on
7 September 2016). These included reductions to the main rate of corporation tax to 19% from 1 April 2017 and to 17% from 1 April 2020. Further
changes to the UK corporation tax rates were substantively enacted as at 31 March 2020, in Finance Bill 2020 (on 11 March 2020), which included
increasing the main rate of corporation tax from 17% to 19% from 1 April 2020.
Deferred tax at the balance sheet date has been measured using these revised rates and reflected in these consolidated financial statements.
As at 31 March 2020, a deferred tax liability of £3,812,000 (2019: £109,000) has been recognised in respect of the intangible assets arising on the
acquisition of the VCT fund management business of NVM Private Equity LLP in December 2019 and the acquisition of the entire issued share
capital of Enterprise Ventures in March 2016. A potential deferred tax asset of £7,210,000 (2019: £5,995,000) for cumulative unrelieved management
expenses and other tax losses has not been recognised in these consolidated financial statements as it is not considered sufficiently probable that
the Group will generate sufficient taxable profits from the same trade to recover these amounts in full.
12. Loss per share

Basic loss per share is calculated by dividing the loss for the financial year by the weighted average number of Ordinary shares in issue during the
year. Diluted loss per share is calculated by dividing the loss for the financial year by the weighted average number of Ordinary shares outstanding
and, when dilutive, adjusted for the effect of all potentially dilutive shares, including share options on an as-if-converted basis. The potential
dilutive shares are included in diluted earnings per share calculations on a weighted average basis for the year. The loss and weighted average
number of shares used in the calculations are set out below:
31 March 31 March
2020 2019
(Loss)/profit per Ordinary share

(Loss)/profit for the financial year (£’000) (17,454) 2,620
Weighted average number of Ordinary shares (basic) (’000) 341,401 303,310
Weighted average number of Ordinary shares (diluted) (’000) 341,627 305,018
(Loss)/earnings per Ordinary share basic and diluted (pence) (5.11) 0.86
The calculation of basic and diluted loss per share is based on the following data:
31 March 31 March
2020 2019
’000 ’000
Weighted average number of shares

Basic 341,401 303,310
Dilutive impact of share options 226 1,708
Diluted 341,627 305,018
13. Business combinations

The Group consists of Mercia Asset Management PLC and its subsidiary undertakings. Note 39 to the Company’s financial statements lists details
of the Company’s subsidiary undertakings.
On 23 December 2019 Mercia completed the acquisition of the VCT fund management business of NVM Private Equity LLP (“NVM”) for a total
maximum consideration of £25,000,000 comprising a combination of cash and new Ordinary Mercia shares.
The fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired and the consideration payable under IFRS 3 are as follows:
Fair value
£’000
Fund management contracts intangible asset 20,331

Goodwill 6,314
Deferred tax liability arising on intangible asset (3,863)
Total identifiable net assets 22,782

13. Business combinations continued

Under the terms of the acquisition agreement, the fair value of the consideration payable to NVM is:
£’000
Cash 12,400
Shares – 16,800,000 shares in Mercia Asset Management PLC valued at 25.0 pence per share on 23 December 2019 4,200
Total initial consideration 16,600
Deferred consideration 6,182
Total consideration 22,782
The initial consideration shares were admitted to trading on AIM on 27 December 2019.
Actual revenues and profits of the VCT fund management business

The actual revenues and profits that have been generated since the acquisition of the VCT fund management business on 23 December 2019 to
31 March 2020 are:
£’000
Revenues 1,917
Profit before taxation 547
The disclosure of the revenue and loss for the Group if the acquisition had occurred on 1 April 2019 has not been presented as the determination of
these amounts is impracticable, due to the fact that the entire NVM Private Equity LLP business was not acquired and there will have been revenues
and expenses not relevant to the VCT fund management business acquired.
Fair value
The fair value of the management contracts has been estimated using a discounted cash flow model. The estimated cash flows have been valued
at a discount of 15%, resulting in the recognition of a fair value for the fund management contracts of £20,331,000.
14. Goodwill
The goodwill arising on the businesses acquired to date, being Mercia Fund Management Limited, Enterprise Ventures Group Limited (‘Enterprise
Ventures’) and the VCT fund management business of NVM, is set out in the table below.
VCT fund
Mercia Fund Enterprise management
Management Ventures contracts Total
£’000 £’000 £’000 £’000
Cost
As at 1 April 2018 2,455 7,873 – 10,328
Additions – – – –
As at 31 March 2019 2,455 7,873 – 10,328
Additions – – 6,314 6,314
As at 31 March 2020 2,455 7,873 6,314 16,642
Included in additions to goodwill in the financial year is £6,314,000 which arose on the acquisition of the VCT fund management business in
December 2019. Details of the consideration paid and assets acquired as part of this transaction are set out in note 13 to these consolidated
financial statements.
Goodwill for each business acquired has been assessed for impairment as at 31 March 2020. Recoverable amounts for each cash generating unit
(“CGU”) are based on the higher of value in use and fair value less costs of disposal (“FVLCD”). FVLCD for each CGU to which goodwill has been
allocated was calculated using a revenue multiple model based on the CGU’s budgeted revenues for the financial year ending 31 March 2021.
The review concluded that the FVLCD recoverable amount of each CGU exceeds its carrying value. The Directors do not consider that any
reasonable possible changes to the key assumptions would reduce the recoverable amount of the CGUs to their carrying value.

15. Intangible assets

Intangible assets represent contractual arrangements in respect of the acquisition of the VCT fund management business and the acquisition of
Enterprise Ventures, where it is probable that the future economic benefits that are attributable to those assets will flow to the Group and the fair
value of the assets can be measured reliably.
£’000
Cost
As at 1 April 2018 1,504
Additions –
As at 31 March 2019 1,504
Additions 20,331
As at 31 March 2020 21,835
Accumulated amortisation
As at 1 April 2018 619
Charge for the year 301
As at 31 March 2019 920
As at 31 March 2020 1,772
Net book value
As at 31 March 2019 584
As at 31 March 2020 20,063
16. Property, plant and equipment

Leasehold Furniture Office
improvements and fixtures equipment Total
£’000 £’000 £’000 £’000
Cost
As at 1 April 2018 40 68 363 471
Additions 2 9 81 92
As at 31 March 2019 42 77 444 563
Additions – 1 44 45
As at 31 March 2020 42 78 488 608
Accumulated depreciation
As at 1 April 2018 10 48 268 326
Charge for the year 5 12 67 84
As at 31 March 2019 15 60 335 410
As at 31 March 2020 20 64 399 483
Net book value
As at 31 March 2019 27 17 109 153
As at 31 March 2020 22 14 89 125
17. Right-of-use assets

£’000
Cost
As at 1 April 2019 –
Additions 737
As at 31 March 2020 737
As at 31 March 2020 139
Net book value as at 31 March 2019 –
Net book value as at 31 March 2020 598

18. Investments
The net change in the value of investments for the year is a decrease of £188,000 (2019: £21,589,000 increase).
The table below sets out the movement in the balance sheet value of investments from the start to the end of the year, showing investments made,
investee company loans repaid and the direct investment fair value movements.
£’000
As at 1 April 2019 87,659

Investments made during the year 17,449
Investee company loan repayments (1,793)
Unrealised gains on the revaluation of investments 3,351
Unrealised losses on the revaluation of investments (19,195)
As at 31 March 2020 87,471
In accordance with the Group’s accounting policy in respect of direct investments, investments that are held as part of the Group’s direct
investment portfolio are carried in the balance sheet at fair value even though the Group may have significant influence over those companies.
This treatment is permitted by IAS 28, ‘Investments in Associates’. As at 31 March 2020 the Group had investments where it holds an economic
interest of 20% or more as follows:
Interest Net assets/ Profit/
held (liabilities) (loss) Date of
% £’000 £’000 financial statements
Warwick Acoustics Limited 52.9 2,790 (2,054) 30 September 2019

LM Technologies 39.4 119 (383) 31 December 2019
nDreams Limited 36.4 (828) (1,510) 31 March 2019
Soccer Manager Limited 34.8 (2,689) (930) 31 October 2019
Oxford Genetics Limited t/a OXGENE 30.2 8,945 (3,963) 30 April 2019
Medherant Limited 30.1 1,171 (2,363) 31 March 2019
The Native Antigen Company Limited 29.3 1,835 451 30 September 2019
Nightingale-EOS Limited 28.5 1,028 (12) 31 July 2019
Ton UK Limited t/a Intelligent Positioning 28.2 1,172 (190) 31 December 2018
Intechnica Limited 27.5 3,243 (3,176) 31 March 2019
Impression Technologies Limited 25.9 4,402 (2,763) 31 December 2018
VirtTrade Limited t/a Avid Games 25.8 (3,025) (1,201) 31 August 2019
Crowd Reactive Limited 22.6 683 121 31 December 2018
Concepta PLC 22.4 2,234 (2,150) 31 December 2019
sureCore Limited 22.0 984 (805) 30 June 2019
Edge Case Games Limited 21.2 1,942 183 30 September 2019
19. Trade and other receivables

As at As at
31 March 31 March
2020 2019
£’000 £’000
Current:
Trade and other receivables 577 569
Less: expected credit loss allowance (205) (184)
Net trade receivables 372 385
Other receivables 11 4
Prepayments and accrued income 915 393
1,298 782
The expected credit losses on trade receivables are estimated by reference to past default experience of the debtors and an analysis of the
debtors’ current financial position, adjusted for factors that are specific to the debtors, general economic conditions of the industry in which the
debtors operate and an assessment of both the current as well as the forecast conditions at the reporting date. The Group has defined a default as
the failure of a counterparty, including debtors, to discharge a contractual obligation or commitment into which it has entered with the Group.
As at 31 March 2020, an amount of £205,000 (2019: £184,000) has been estimated as an expected credit loss allowance in accordance with IFRS 9, in
respect of trade receivables primarily from portfolio companies in the managed funds, and recorded against revenue in the consolidated
statement of comprehensive income. The Directors believe that the credit quality of trade receivables which are within the Group’s typical
payment terms is good.

The ageing of trade receivables at the year end was as follows:

Expected credit
Gross loss allowance
£’000 £’000
Not past due 117 (14)

Past due 0-30 days 15 (3)
Past due 31-60 days 74 (40)
Past due 61-90 days – –
Past due more than 91 days 371 (148)
577 (205)
A reconciliation from the opening balance to the closing balance of the expected credit loss allowance in respect of trade receivables is set
out below:
£’000
As at 1 April 2019 184

Change in loss allowance due to new trade receivables originated 125
Amounts recovered (101)
Amounts written off (3)
As at 31 March 2020 205
The increase in the expected credit loss allowance of £125,000 (2019: £72,000 increase) has been recorded against revenue in the consolidated
statement of comprehensive income. The maximum exposure to credit risk of the receivables at the balance sheet date is the fair value of each
class of receivable shown above.
20. Cash, cash equivalents and short-term liquidity investments

As at As at
31 March 31 March
2020 2019
£’000 £’000
Cash at bank and in hand 24,438 25,210

Total cash and cash equivalents 24,438 25,210
Total short-term liquidity investments 6,215 5,188
Included within cash and cash equivalents is £467,000 (2019: £629,000) of cash held on behalf of third-party EIS investors which is not available for
use by the Group.
21. Trade and other payables

As at As at
31 March 31 March
2020 2019
£’000 £’000
Trade payables 729 206

Tax and social security 244 225
Other payables 908 794
Accruals and deferred income 2,924 2,505
4,805 3,730
Other payables includes £467,000 (2019: £629,000) of cash held on behalf of third-party EIS investors.
22. Lease liabilities

The only impact on the Group relates to leases for use of office premises at various locations. These were earlier classified as operating leases
under IAS 17, with lease rentals charged to operating expenses on a straight-line basis over the lease term. As required by IFRS 16, as a lessee, the
Group has recognised a lease liability representing the present value of the obligation to make lease payments, and a related right-of-use asset.
In calculating the present value of the obligation to make lease payments, the Group’s incremental borrowing rate has been used as the discount
rate, as the rates implicit in the leases are not evident. The incremental rate referred to by IFRS 16 indicates the rate of interest that a lessee would
have to pay to borrow over a similar term, with similar security, the funds necessary to obtain an asset of similar value to the right-of-use asset in a
similar economic environment. The weighted average lessee’s incremental borrowing rate applied to lease liabilities recognised in the Group’s
consolidated balance sheet as at 31 March 2020 is 3.25%.

22. Lease liabilities continued

The following table shows the operating lease commitments disclosed when IAS 17 was applied at 31 March 2019, discounted using the borrowing rate
at the date of initial application and the lease liabilities recognised in the Group’s consolidated balance sheet at the date of initial application.
£’000
Operating lease commitments as at 31 March 2019 1,370

Short-term leases and leases of low-value assets (42)
Effect of discounting operating lease commitments as at 31 March 2019 (591)
Lease liabilities recognised as at 1 April 2019 737
The Group has recognised £737,000 of right-of-use assets and £737,000 of lease liabilities on transition to IFRS 16 with effect from 1 April 2019. As
at 31 March 2020, the Group had no lease liabilities in respect of leases committed to but not yet commenced.
The table below summarises the lease costs for the financial year ended 31 March 2020.
£’000
Depreciation expense 139

Interest expense 26
Low-value and short-term lease expense 218
The maturity profile of the Group’s IFRS 16 leases is set out in the table below.
£’000
Due within one year 118

Due between two and five years 473
591
23. Deferred consideration

As at As at
31 March 31 March
2020 2019
£’000 £’000
Payable within one year 1,736 –

Payable within two to five years 4,446 –
6,182 –
On 23 December 2019 Mercia completed the acquisition of the VCT fund management business of NVM Private Equity LLP for a total maximum
consideration of £25,000,000 comprising a combination of cash and new Ordinary Mercia shares. The initial consideration was £16,600,000, with
deferred consideration of up to £8,400,000 also being payable, contingent upon certain conditions being met.
The deferred consideration comprises £6,300,000 in cash, payable in three equal instalments on the first, second and third anniversaries of
completion, provided that no termination notice has been served by any of the Northern VCTs before each respective anniversary payment date,
and £2,100,000 payable in new Ordinary Mercia shares. There are no indications to date that notice will be given and so the fair value payable has
been recognised, discounted back to the acquisition date at a rate of 10%.
50% of the deferred consideration shares will be payable if the Group has received at least £16,000,000 of fees in respect of the Northern VCT fund
management contracts in the three years post completion. The remaining 50% of the deferred consideration shares will be allotted and issued if,
during the same three-year period, the Northern VCTs collectively raise at least £60,000,000 in new capital. If either or both of these conditions are
met the number of new Ordinary shares to be issued to satisfy the deferred share consideration will be calculated based on the average of the daily
closing mid-market price for an Ordinary Mercia share, for each of the five days immediately preceding the date of issue. The fair value of this
element of the deferred consideration has been based on a weighted probability of outcomes over the three-year period and discounted by 10%.

24. Deferred taxation

As at As at
31 March 31 March
2020 2019
£’000 £’000
Recognition of deferred tax liability 3,812 109
Under IAS 12, ‘Income Taxes’, provision is made for the deferred tax liability associated with the recognition of the intangible asset arising on the
acquisition of the VCT fund management business of NVM Private Equity LLP. This has been recognised at 19% of the fair value of the fund
management contracts at acquisition and is reassessed at each year end, with the movement being recognised in the consolidated statement of
comprehensive income.
As at 31 March 2020, a deferred tax liability of £3,812,000 (2019: £109,000) has been recognised. Of this total £3,758,000 is in respect of the
intangible asset arising on the acquisition of the VCT fund management business of NVM Private Equity LLP and £54,000 is in respect of the
remaining intangible asset arising on the acquisition of Enterprise Ventures.
25. Issued share capital

As at 31 March 2020 As at 31 March 2019
Number £’000 Number £’000
Allotted and fully paid

As at the beginning of the year 303,309,707 3 303,309,707 3
Issue of share capital during the year 136,800,000 1 – –
As at the end of the year 440,109,707 4 303,309,707 3
On 20 December 2019, 120,000,000 new Ordinary shares of £0.00001 each were issued at a price of 25.0 pence per share via a placing which raised
£30,000,000 (before share issue costs). These new shares were admitted to trading on AIM on 23 December 2019.
On 23 December 2019, 16,800,000 new Ordinary shares of £0.00001 each were issued at a price of 25.0 pence per share as part of the initial
consideration for the acquisition of the VCT fund management business of NVM Private Equity LLP. These new shares were admitted to trading on
AIM on 27 December 2019.
Each Ordinary share is entitled to one vote and has equal rights as to dividends. The Ordinary shares are not redeemable.
26. Share premium

As at As at
31 March 31 March
2020 2019
£’000 £’000
As at the beginning of the year 49,324 49,324

Premium arising on the issue of Ordinary shares 34,199 –
Cost of share capital issued (1,879) –
As at the end of the year 81,644 49,324
The premium on the issue of Ordinary shares in the year arises from the placing of 120,000,000 new Ordinary shares of £0.00001 each issued at a
price of 25.0 pence per share on 20 December 2019 and 16,800,000 new Ordinary shares of £0.00001 each issued at a price of 25.0 pence per share
on 23 December 2019 as part of the initial consideration for the acquisition of the VCT fund management business of NVM Private Equity LLP.
27. Other distributable reserve

On 18 March 2015, the Group successfully applied to the Court for the partial cancellation of its share premium account. £70,000,000 was
transferred from the share premium account to a distributable reserve, thereby allowing the Group flexibility to pay a dividend distribution to
shareholders in the future.
28. Retirement benefit schemes

The Group contributes into the personal pension plans of all qualifying employees. The amount charged in the year to 31 March 2020 was £570,000
(2019: £479,000). As at 31 March 2020, contributions amounting to £23,000 (2019: £30,000) had not yet been paid over to the plans and are recorded
in other payables (note 21).

29. Financial risk management

In its normal course of business, the Group uses certain financial instruments including cash, trade and other receivables and equity investments.
The Group is exposed to a number of risks through the performance of its normal operations. These are discussed in more detail in the Strategic
Report on pages 52 to 55 of this Annual Report.
Categories of financial instruments
The Group recognises financial instruments in its financial statements when it enters into a binding agreement to receive cash or other economic benefits
and derecognises them once all parties to the agreements have discharged all of their obligations. The description of each category of financial asset and
financial liability and the related accounting policies are shown below. Prior to the adoption of IFRS 9 and in accordance with IAS 39, the financial assets
and liabilities were classified as FVTPL or as loans and receivables. The carrying amounts have not changed on adoption of IFRS 9. The carrying amounts
of financial assets and financial liabilities in each category are as follows:
Amortised
FVTPL cost Total
£’000 £’000 £’000
As at 31 March 2020
Financial assets
Long-term financial assets 87,471 – 87,471
Trade and other receivables – 383 383
Cash and cash equivalents – 24,438 24,438
Short-term liquidity investments – 6,125 6,125
Short-term financial assets – 30,946 30,946
Total financial assets 87,471 30,946 118,417
Trade and other payables – (1,637) (1,637)
Lease liabilities – (591) (591)
Total financial liabilities – (2,228) (2,228)
FVTPL Amortised cost Total

£’000 £’000 £’000
As at 31 March 2019
Financial assets
Long-term financial assets 87,659 – 87,659
Trade and other receivables – 389 389
Cash and cash equivalents – 25,210 25,210
Short-term liquidity investments – 5,188 5,188
Short-term financial assets – 30,787 30,787
Total financial assets 87,659 30,787 118,446
Trade and other payables – (1,000) (1,000)
Total financial liabilities – (1,000) (1,000)
Financial risk management objectives

The Group’s main objective in using financial instruments is to create, fund and develop technology businesses through the raising and investing of
capital for this purpose. The Group’s policies in calculating the nature, amount and timing of investments are determined by forecast future investment
activity. Financial risks are usually grouped by risk type, being: market, liquidity and credit risk. These risks are identified more fully below.
Market risk
Price risk
The Group is exposed to price risk in respect of equity rights and equity investments held by the Group and classified on the balance sheet at fair value
through profit or loss. The Group seeks to manage this risk exposure, while optimising the return on risk, by routinely monitoring the performance of
these investments, employing stringent investment appraisal processes. Unquoted equity investments are valued in line with the Group’s accounting
policy as outlined in note 1 to these consolidated financial statements. Regular reviews of the financial results, combined with close contact with the
management of these investments, provide sufficient information to support these valuations, and regular reports are made to the Board on the status
and valuation of investments.
Interest rate risk
The Group holds no interest-bearing borrowing and, as such, has fully mitigated such a risk.
Liquidity risk
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand and deposits held with UK banks with original maturities of less than three months.
Short-term liquidity investments comprise deposits with a maturity of over three months but less than 12 months, also with UK banks.
Ultimate responsibility for liquidity risk management rests with the Directors, who have established an appropriate liquidity risk management framework
for the management of the Group’s short, medium and long-term funding and liquidity management requirements. The Group manages liquidity risk by
maintaining adequate cash reserves, by continuously monitoring forecast and actual cash flows, and by matching the maturity profiles of financial assets
and liabilities.

Credit risk
Credit risk refers to the risk that a counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in financial loss to the Group. A default is defined as the
failure to discharge a contractual obligation or commitment into which a counterparty has entered with the Group. The Group is exposed to this risk for
various financial instruments; for example, by granting receivables to customers and from placing cash and deposits with banks. The Group’s trade
receivables are amounts due from the investment funds under management, from those investee companies held by its managed funds and from its
directly invested portfolio companies. The Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk is limited to the carrying amount of trade receivables net of
provisions, cash and cash equivalents and short-term liquidity investments as at 31 March, as summarised below:
As at As at
31 March 31 March
2020 2019
£’000 £’000
Net trade receivables 372 385

Short-term liquidity investments 6,125 5,188
30,935 30,783
The Directors consider that all the above financial assets are of good credit quality. In respect of trade and other receivables, the Group is not exposed to
significant risk as the principal customers are the investment funds managed by the Group, and in these the Group has control of the banking as part of its
management responsibilities. As at 31 March 2020, an amount of £205,000 (2019: £184,000) has been estimated as a loss allowance in accordance with IFRS 9.
The credit risk of cash and cash equivalents and short-term liquidity investments held on deposit is limited by the use of reputable UK banks with
high-quality external credit ratings and as such is considered negligible. All cash, cash equivalents and short-term liquidity investments are held with
banks with an 'A' rating as at the year ended 31 March 2020.
Capital risk management

The Group manages its capital to ensure that entities in the Group will be able to continue as going concerns while maximising the return to shareholders
through the optimisation of any debt and equity balance. The Board reviews the capital structure of the Group on a regular basis to ensure that it complies
with all regulatory capital requirements.
The capital structure of the Group consists solely of equity (comprising issued capital, reserves and retained earnings). The Group had no debt
instruments during the year. In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group may return capital to shareholders, issue new shares, sell
assets to manage cash or adjust the amount of dividends paid to shareholders. The Group aims to become dividend-paying, subject to maintaining a
conservative balance sheet approach.
Fair value measurements

The fair values of the Group’s financial assets and liabilities are considered a reasonable approximation to the carrying values shown in the consolidated
balance sheet. Subsequent to their initial recognition at fair value, measurements of movements in fair values of financial instruments are grouped into
Levels 1 to 3, based on the degree to which the fair value is observable. The fair value hierarchy used is outlined in more detail in note 2 to these
consolidated financial statements.
The following table gives information about how the fair values of these financial assets and financial liabilities are determined and presents the Group’s
assets that are measured at fair value as at 31 March 2020. The table in note 18 of these consolidated financial statements sets out the movement in the
balance sheet value of investments from the start to the end of the year.
As at As at
31 March 31 March
2020 2019
£’000 £’000
Assets:
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss (“FVTPL”)
Level 1 475 1,133
Level 2 – –
Level 3 86,996 86,526
87,471 87,659
As at As at
31 March 31 March
2020 2019
£’000 £’000
Liabilities:
Financial liabilities at amortised cost – deferred consideration
Level 1 – –
Level 2 – –
Level 3 6,182 –
6,182 –

29. Financial risk management continued

The Directors consider that the carrying amounts of financial assets and financial liabilities recorded at amortised cost in the financial statements
approximate to their fair values.
Financial instruments in Level 1

As at 31 March 2020, the Group had one direct investment listed on AIM (Concepta); this has been classified in Level 1 and valued at its bid price as
at 31 March 2020.
Financial instruments in Level 3

If one or more of the significant inputs required to fair value an instrument is not based on observable market data, the instrument is included in
Level 3. Apart from the one investment classified in Level 1, all other investments held in the Group’s direct investment portfolio have been
classified in Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy and the individual valuations for each of the companies have been arrived at using appropriate
valuation techniques.
Up until 31 March 2019, the Group classified investments included in Level 3 under four valuation techniques, being ‘price of recent funding round’,
‘cost’, ‘enterprise value’ and ‘price of recent funding round or cost adjusted for impairment’. From 1 April 2019, the Group has adopted the revised
International Private Equity and Venture Capital Valuation Guidelines in its valuation techniques, which specify that the price of a recent
investment represents one of a number of inputs used to arrive at fair value, and uses a single classification for all Level 3 investments.
Note 2 to these consolidated financial statements provides further information on the Group’s valuation methodology, including a detailed
explanation of the valuation techniques used for Level 3 financial instruments.
30. Related party transactions

Transactions with Directors
The Group considers all members of the Board to be key management and their remuneration is disclosed in the Remuneration Report on page 67.
Directors’ shareholdings in the Group are disclosed on page 68 of the Remuneration Report.
The Group leases its head office premises from Forward Midland LLP, of which Ray Chamberlain, a Non-executive Director of Mercia Asset
Management PLC, is a member. During the year ended 31 March 2020, and under the terms of a lease agreement which commenced on
18 December 2014 and terminates on 17 December 2024, rent and service charges amounting to £226,000 plus VAT (2019: £235,000 plus VAT) were
invoiced to and paid in full by the Group. The rent charged was determined by an independent market rent valuation of the property, undertaken
in October 2014. Rent and service charges are invoiced quarterly in advance. As at 31 March 2020, prepaid rent and service charges amounted to
£52,000 plus VAT (2019: £52,000 plus VAT).
31. Ultimate controlling party

The Group has no single ultimate controlling party.
32. Post balance sheet events

The impact of the outbreak and continuing spread of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) is continuing to evolve. The Group is continually
monitoring the development of COVID-19 and the current and future impacts it will have on the business. The actions to mitigate these risks have
been noted in the Principal Risks and Uncertainties section on pages 52 to 55 of this Annual Report. As discussed in the Strategic Report, at this
time, the Directors are not able to reliably estimate the length and severity of the COVID-19 public health crisis and, as such, cannot quantify its
impact on the financial results, liquidity and capital resources of the Group and its operations in future periods.
Other than the sale of The Native Antigen Company for up to £5.2million and the continuing completion of approved direct investments, there have
been no other material events since the balance sheet date.

Company balance sheet

As at 31 March 2020
As at As at
31 March 31 March
2020 2019
Note £’000 £’000
Assets
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment 37 115 139
Right-of-use assets 38 597 –
Investments in subsidiary undertakings 39 40,133 23,533
Trade and other receivables 40 91,000 74,500
Total non-current assets 131,845 98,172
Current assets
Trade and other receivables 40 530 299
Short-term liquidity investments 6,215 5,188
Total current assets 23,414 19,302
Total assets 155,259 117,474
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables 41 (1,058) (374)
Total current liabilities (1,175) (374)
Non-current liabilities
Total non-current liabilities (473) –
Total liabilities (1,648) (374)
Net assets 153,611 117,100
Equity
Issued share capital 43 4 3
Share premium 43 81,644 49,324
Other distributable reserve 44 70,000 70,000
Retained earnings 98 (3,564)
Share-based payments reserve 1,865 1,337
Total equity 153,611 117,100
The Company’s profit for the year was £3,662,000 (2019: £1,259,000).
The Company financial statements of Mercia Asset Management PLC, registered number 09223445, on pages 101 to 107 were approved by the
Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 13 July 2020. They were signed on its behalf by:
Dr Mark Payton Martin Glanfield

Chief Executive Officer Chief Financial Officer

Company statement of changes in equity
Issued Other Share-based

share Share distributable Retained payments
capital premium reserve earnings reserve Total
£’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000
(note 43) (note 43) (note 44)
As at 1 April 2018 3 49,324 70,000 (4,823) 1,166 115,670

Total comprehensive income for the year – – – 1,259 – 1,259
As at 31 March 2019 3 49,324 70,000 (3,564) 1,337 117,100
Total comprehensive income for the year – – – 3,662 – 3,662
Share-based payments charge – – – 528 528
Issue of share capital 1 34,199 – – – 34,200
Cost of share capital issued – (1,879) – – – (1,879)
As at 31 March 2020 4 81,644 70,000 98 1,865 153,611

Notes to the Company financial statements

33. Accounting policies

The principal accounting policies applied in the presentation of the Company financial statements are set out below. These policies have been
consistently applied throughout the year unless otherwise stated.
General information
The general information relating to Mercia Asset Management PLC (‘the Company’) is set out in note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.
Basis of preparation
The financial statements of Mercia Asset Management PLC have been prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 101, ‘Reduced
Disclosure Framework’ (“FRS 101”) and the Companies Act 2006 (‘the Act’). FRS 101 sets out a reduced disclosure framework for a ‘qualifying
entity’ as defined in the standard, which addresses the financial reporting requirements and disclosure exemptions in the individual financial
statements of qualifying entities that otherwise apply the recognition, measurement and disclosure requirements of EU-adopted IFRS.
FRS 101 sets out amendments to EU-adopted IFRS that are necessary to achieve compliance with the Act and related Regulations.
The financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis and under the historical cost convention. A summary of the most
important Company accounting policies, which have been consistently applied except where noted, is set out below.
New standards, interpretations and amendments effective in the current financial year
The new standards that became effective in the current financial year are disclosed in note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.
Investments in subsidiary undertakings

Investments in subsidiary undertakings are stated at cost less provision for any impairment losses.
Property, plant and equipment

Tangible assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any recognised impairment loss. Depreciation is recognised so as to write off
the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their expected useful lives, using the straight-line method, on the following basis:
Furniture, fixtures and office equipment 33%

Leasehold improvements over the remaining life of the lease
The estimated useful lives, residual values and depreciation method are reviewed at the end of each reporting period, with the effect of any
changes in estimate accounted for on a prospective basis.
Share-based payments
Equity-settled share-based payments to Executive Directors and certain employees of the Company, whereby recipients render services in
exchange for shares or rights over shares, are measured at the fair value of the equity instruments at the grant date. The fair value determined at
the grant date is expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, based on the Company’s estimate of equity instruments that will
eventually vest. At each balance sheet date, the Company reviews its estimate. The impact of any revision of original estimates is recognised in
profit or loss, such that the cumulative expense reflects the revised estimate, with a corresponding adjustment to equity. Details regarding the
determination of the fair value of equity-settled share-based transactions are set out in note 6 to the consolidated financial statements.
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term liquidity investments

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held with banks and other short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities
of less than three months. Short-term liquid investments with a maturity of over three months but less than 12 months are included in a separate
category, ‘short-term liquidity investments’.
Taxation
The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax. Current and deferred tax are recognised in profit or loss, except
when they relate to items that are recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in reserves, in which case the current and deferred tax are
also recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in reserves respectively. Where current or deferred tax arises from the initial accounting
of a business combination, the tax effect is included in the accounting for the business combination.
The tax currently payable is based on the taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the profit and loss because
it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other periods and it further excludes items that are never taxable or
deductible. The Company’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance
sheet date.
Deferred tax is the tax expected to be payable or recoverable on differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial
statements and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation of taxable profit and is accounted for using the balance sheet liability
method. Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all taxable temporary timing differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the
extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be available, against which deductible temporary differences can be utilised. Such assets and
liabilities are not recognised if the temporary difference arises from the initial recognition of goodwill or from the initial recognition (other than in a
business combination) of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the taxable profit nor the accounting profit.

Notes to the Company financial statements continued

Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for taxable temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries except where the Company is able to
control the reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future. Deferred
tax assets arising from deductible temporary differences associated with such investments and interests are only recognised to the extent that it is
probable that there will be sufficient taxable profits against which to utilise the benefits of the temporary differences and they are expected to
reverse in the foreseeable future.
34. Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

Details of critical accounting judgements, estimates and associated assumptions are disclosed in note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.
35. Summary of disclosure exemptions adopted

The following exemptions from the requirements of IFRS have been applied in the preparation of these financial statements, in accordance with
FRS 101:
• paragraphs 45(b) and 46 to 52 of IFRS 2, ‘Share-based payments’ (details of the number and weighted-average exercise prices of share options,
and how the fair value of goods or services received was determined);
• IFRS 7, ‘Financial Instruments: Disclosures’;
• IAS 7, ‘Statement of Cash Flows’;
• paragraphs 28 to 30 of IAS 8, ‘Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors’ specifically in respect of the disclosure of new
standards in issue but not yet effective;
• the requirement in IAS 24, ‘Related Party Disclosures’ to disclose related party transactions entered into between two or more members of a
group; and
• the following paragraphs of IAS 1, ‘Presentation of Financial Statements’:
– 10(d) (statement of cash flows),
– 16 (statement of compliance with all IFRS),
– 111 (cash flow statement information), and
– 134-136 (capital management disclosures).
36. Results for the Company

The Directors have taken advantage of the exemption available under Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and have not presented a statement
of comprehensive income or a cash flow statement for the Company.
The auditor’s remuneration for audit and other services is disclosed in note 7 to the consolidated financial statements.
37. Property, plant and equipment

Leasehold Furniture Office
improvements and fixtures equipment Total
£’000 £’000 £’000 £’000
Cost
As at 1 April 2019 42 38 274 354
Additions – 1 45 46
As at 31 March 2020 42 39 319 400
As at 1 April 2019 15 35 165 215
As at 31 March 2020 20 37 228 285
Net book value as at 31 March 2019 27 3 109 139
Net book value as at 31 March 2020 22 2 91 115

38. Right-of-use assets

Total
£’000
Cost
Additions 702
As at 31 March 2020 702
As at 31 March 2020 105
Net book value as at 31 March 2019 –
Net book value as at 31 March 2020 597
39. Investments in subsidiary undertakings

£’000
Carrying amount
As at 1 April 2019 23,533
Additions 16,600
As at 31 March 2020 40,133
The Directors believe that the carrying values of the subsidiary undertakings are supported by their value in use.
On 23 December 2019 the Company increased its investment in its subsidiary company Mercia Fund Management Limited by £16,600,000
comprising a combination of cash and new Ordinary shares. Of the total investment of £16,600,000, £12,400,000 was satisfied by cash and
£4,200,000 was satisfied by the issue of 16,800,000 Ordinary shares at a price of 25.0 pence per share. The new shares were admitted to trading on
AIM on 27 December 2019.
Details of the Company’s subsidiary undertakings as at 31 March 2020 are as follows:

Place of Proportion of
incorporation Ordinary
Name and operation shares owned Nature of business
Mercia Investments Limited England 100% Investment company

Mercia Fund Management Limited1 England 100% Fund management company
Enterprise Ventures Group Limited England 100% Intermediate holding company
Enterprise Ventures Limited England 100% Fund management company
EV Business Loans Limited England 100% Fund management company
Mercia Fund 1 General Partner Limited England 98% General partner
Mercia (General Partner) Limited England 100% General partner
Mercia Investment Plan LP2 England – Limited partnership
Mercia VCT Nominee Limited England 100% Investment company
WM AHSN SME General Partner Limited England 100% General partner
Mercia Fund Management (Nominees) Limited England 100% Dormant
Mercia Growth Nominees Limited England 100% Dormant
Mercia Growth Nominees 2 Limited England 100% Dormant
Mercia Digital Nominees Limited England 100% Dormant
UGF Nominees Limited England 100% Dormant
Mercia Investment Management Limited England 100% Dormant
Mercia Technologies Limited England 100% Dormant
1. The Company owns 100% of Mercia Fund Management Limited’s Ordinary shares and thus has a 100% controlling interest in the subsidiary undertaking.
2. The Company owns 90% of the capital invested in Mercia Investment Plan LP.

Notes to the Company financial statements continued
39. Investments in subsidiary undertakings continued

The companies listed above have their registered offices at Forward House, 17 High Street, Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire B95 5AA with the
following exceptions:
Enterprise Ventures Group Limited and its subsidiaries are registered at Unit F26, Preston Technology Management Centre, Marsh Lane, Preston,
Lancashire PR1 8UQ
40. Trade and other receivables

As at As at
31 March 31 March
2020 2019
£’000 £’000
Amounts falling due within one year:

Amounts due from subsidiary undertakings 270 –
Other debtors 76 108
Prepayments and accrued income 184 191
Current assets 530 299
Amounts falling due after more than one year:
Amounts due from subsidiary undertakings 91,000 74,500
Non-current assets 91,000 74,500
Amounts due from subsidiary undertakings are in respect of unsecured, interest-bearing loans. Interest is charged on the principal sum of the
loans typically at a rate of 4% and is paid half yearly. The terms of the loans are such that the earliest date on which Mercia Asset Management PLC
can recall a loan is five years from the loan agreement date.
41. Trade and other payables

As at As at
31 March 31 March
2020 2019
£’000 £’000
Trade payables 164 46

Accruals and deferred income 894 328
1,058 374
42. Lease liabilities

The Company has recognised £702,000 of right-of-use assets and £702,000 of lease liabilities on transition to IFRS 16, ‘Leases’, with effect from
1 April 2019. As at 31 March 2020, the Company has no lease liabilities in respect of leases committed to but not yet commenced.
The application of IFRS 16 is disclosed in more detail in notes 1 and 22 to the consolidated financial statements.
The table below summarises the lease costs for the financial year ended 31 March 2020.
£’000
Depreciation expense 105

Interest expense 25
Low-value and short-term lease expense 16
The maturity profile of the Company’s IFRS 16 leases is set out in the table below.
£’000
Due within one year 117

Due between two and five years 473
590
43. Issued share capital and share premium

The movements in issued share capital and share premium are disclosed in notes 25 and 26 to the consolidated financial statements.
44. Other distributable reserve

The movements in other distributable reserve are disclosed in note 27 to the consolidated financial statements.

45. Directors’ emoluments and employee information

The average monthly number of persons (including Executive and Non-executive Directors) employed by the Company during the year was:
31 March 31 March
2020 2019
Number Number
Central functions 9 12
Central functions comprise senior management (including Executive and Non-executive Directors), finance, compliance, legal, administration,
people and talent, and marketing.
The aggregate employee benefit expense (including Executive and Non-executive Directors) was:
31 March 31 March
2020 2019
£’000 £’000
Wages and salaries 950 1,092

Social security costs 120 142
Other pension costs (note 46) 58 64
1,128 1,298
Information in respect of Directors’ emoluments, share options and pensions is given in the Remuneration Report on pages 65 to 68 of this
Annual Report.
46. Retirement benefit schemes

The Company contributes into the personal pension plans of all qualifying employees. The amount charged in the year to 31 March 2020 was
£58,000 (2019: £64,000). As at 31 March 2020, no contribution payments were outstanding (2019: £nil).
47. Related parties

The Company has taken advantage of the exemption available to companies under FRS 101 not to disclose transactions and balances between
members of the same group. Note 30 of the consolidated financial statements details the Group’s related party transactions.
48. Ultimate controlling party

The Company has no single ultimate controlling party.
49. Post balance sheet events

Note 32 of the consolidated financial statements details the post balance sheet events in respect of the Group.

Directors, secretary and advisers
Directors
Ian Roland Metcalfe (Non-executive Chair)
Dr Mark Andrew Payton (Chief Executive Officer)
Martin James Glanfield (Chief Financial Officer)
Julian George Viggars (Chief Investment Officer)
Raymond Kenneth Chamberlain (Non-executive Director)
Dr Jonathan David Pell (Non-executive Director)
Caroline Bayantai Plumb OBE (Non-executive Director)
Company Secretary Company registration number

Sarah-Louise Anne Thawley 09223445
Company website Company registrar

www.mercia.co.uk SLC Registrars
Elder House
Registered office St Georges Business Park
Forward House Brooklands Road
17 High Street Weybridge
Henley-in-Arden Surrey KT13 0TS
Solicitors
Independent auditor Gowling WLG (UK) LLP
Deloitte LLP 4 More London Riverside
Statutory Auditor London SE1 2AU
Four Brindleyplace
Birmingham B1 2HZ Nominated adviser and joint broker
Canaccord Genuity Ltd
Principal bankers 88 Wood Street
Barclays Bank PLC London EC2V 7QR
One Snowhill
Snow Hill Queensway Joint broker
Birmingham B4 6GN Nplus1 Singer Advisory LLP
1 Bartholomew Lane
Lloyds Bank plc London EC2N 2AX
125 Colmore Row
Birmingham B3 3SD Investor relations adviser
FTI Consulting Ltd
200 Aldersgate Street
London EC1A 4HD

Notice of Annual General Meeting

(incorporated and registered in England and Wales with registered number 09223445)
Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) of agreement as if the power conferred by this resolution had not
Mercia Asset Management PLC (the ‘Company’) will be held at expired. The authority granted by this resolution shall replace all
Forward House, 17 High Street, Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire B95 5AA existing authorities previously granted to the Directors to allot
on 24 September 2020 at 10.00 a.m. for the purpose of considering and, equity securities for cash or by way of a sale of treasury shares as if
if thought fit, passing the following resolutions (which will be proposed section 561(1) of the Act did not apply.
in the case of resolutions 1 to 6 as ordinary resolutions and resolutions 8. That the Company be authorised generally and unconditionally, in
7 and 8 as special resolutions): accordance with section 701 of the Act, to make market purchases
(within the meaning of section 693(4) of the Act) of Ordinary shares
Ordinary business provided that:
Ordinary resolutions a. the maximum number of Ordinary shares that may be purchased
1. To receive and adopt the Annual Report and Accounts of the is 44,010,970;
Company for the financial year ended 31 March 2020 together with b. the minimum price which may be paid for an Ordinary share is
the Directors’ Report and Auditor’s Report thereon. 0.001 pence; and
2. To approve the Directors’ Remuneration Report for the financial c. the maximum price which may be paid for an Ordinary share is
year ended 31 March 2020. the higher of: (i) 5% above the average of the mid-market value
3. That Julian Viggars, who retires as a Director in accordance with Article of the Ordinary shares for the five business days before the
89.1 of the Articles and being eligible to do so, offers himself for purchase is made; and (ii) the higher of the last independent
re-election as a Director, be re-elected as a Director of the Company. trade and the highest current independent bid for any number of
4. That Dr Jonathan Pell, who retires as a Director in accordance with Ordinary shares on the trading venue where the purchase is
Article 89.1 of the Articles and being eligible to do so, offers himself for carried out.
re-election as a Director, be re-elected as a Director of the Company.
5. To reappoint Deloitte LLP as auditor of the Company to hold office The authority conferred by this resolution will expire on the earlier of the
from the conclusion of this meeting until the conclusion of the next conclusion of the next AGM of the Company and 30 September 2021 save
AGM of the Company at which the Company’s accounts are laid and that the Company may, before the expiry of the authority granted by this
to authorise the Directors to determine the amount of the resolution, enter into a contract to purchase Ordinary shares which will
auditor’s remuneration. or may be executed wholly or partly after the expiry of such authority.
By order of the Board of Directors

Special business
Ordinary resolution
6. That the Directors be and are hereby generally and unconditionally
authorised pursuant to section 551 of the Companies Act 2006 (the
Sarah-Louise Thawley
‘Act’) to exercise all powers of the Company to allot shares in the
Company Secretary
Company and to grant rights to subscribe for or convert any security
31 July 2020
into shares in the Company up to an aggregate maximum nominal
amount of £440.10 provided that this authority shall expire (unless
Registered Office: Forward House, 17 High Street, Henley-in-Arden,
renewed, varied or revoked by the Company in general meeting) on
the earlier of the conclusion of the next AGM of the Company and
30 September 2021 save that the Company shall be entitled to
make, prior to the expiry of such authority, any offer or agreement Coronavirus (“COVID-19”) Annual General
which would or might require shares to be allotted or rights to Meeting implications
subscribe for or convert any security into shares to be granted after The Company is closely monitoring developments relating to COVID-19.
the expiry of such authority and the Directors may allot shares or The UK Government has introduced measures and recommendations
grant rights to subscribe for or convert securities into shares in to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including restrictions on events with
pursuance of such offer or agreement as if the authority conferred large numbers of attendees. These measures and recommendations
hereby had not expired. The authority granted by this resolution could change, including additional measures being introduced in
shall replace all existing authorities to allot any shares in the the future.
Company and to grant rights to subscribe for or convert any security
into shares in the Company previously granted to the Directors The Company’s current intention is to proceed with the AGM at the
pursuant to section 551 of the Act. time, date and place set out in this notice. The Company will continue
to monitor UK Government and NHS advice and members will be
Special resolutions notified in the event that the Company is required to change its plans.
7. That, subject to the passing of resolution 6, the Directors be and are In order that members can exercise their rights whether or not they are
hereby empowered pursuant to sections 570 and 573 of the Act to able to attend the AGM in person, and as it is important that members
allot equity securities (as defined in section 560 of the Act) for cash cast their votes at the AGM, the Company strongly encourages all
either pursuant to the authority conferred by resolution 6 above or members to appoint a proxy for all votes in accordance with the
by way of sale of treasury shares as if section 561(1) of the Act did procedures set out in the notes below.
not apply to such allotment, provided that this power shall be
limited to the allotment and/or sale of equity securities up to an
aggregate nominal amount of £440.10 provided that this authority
shall expire (unless renewed, varied or revoked by the Company in
general meeting) on the earlier of the conclusion of the next AGM of
the Company and 30 September 2021 save that the Company shall
be entitled to make, prior to the expiry of such authority, offers or
arrangements which would or might require equity securities to be
allotted and/or sold after such expiry, and the Directors may allot
and/or sell equity securities in pursuance of any such offer or

Notice of Annual General Meeting continued
(incorporated and registered in England and Wales with registered number 09223445)
Notes Company’s Register of Members in respect of the joint holding (the

Proxies first named being the most senior).
1. A member is entitled to appoint one or more proxies to exercise all 7. A corporation which is a member can appoint one or more corporate
or any of the member’s rights to attend, speak and vote at the AGM. representatives who may exercise, on its behalf, all of its powers as
A proxy need not be a member of the Company and a member may a member provided that no more than one corporate representative
appoint more than one proxy in relation to a meeting to attend, exercises powers over the same share.
speak and vote on the same occasion provided that each proxy is 8. As at 31 July 2020, being the latest practicable date before the
appointed to exercise the rights attached to a different share or publication of this notice of AGM, the Company’s issued share
shares held by a member. To appoint more than one proxy, the capital consisted of 440,109,707 Ordinary shares each carrying one
proxy form should be photocopied and the name of the proxy to be vote. Therefore, the total voting rights in the Company as at 31 July
appointed indicated on each form, together with the number of 2020 is 440,109,707.
shares that such proxy is appointed in respect of (which, in
aggregate, should not exceed the number of shares held by the Miscellaneous
member). Please also indicate if the proxy instruction is one of 9. Copies of the Directors’ service contracts and letters of
multiple instructions being given. All forms must be signed and appointment are available for inspection at the registered office of
should be returned together in the same envelope. the Company during normal business hours from 31 July 2020 and
2. A form of proxy is enclosed with this notice. Forms of proxy may also will be available for inspection at the place where the meeting is
be obtained on request from the Company’s registered office. being held from 15 minutes prior to and during the meeting.
In order to be valid any proxy form appointing a proxy must be 10. Members who have general queries about the AGM should write to
returned duly completed no later than 10.00 a.m. on 22 September the Company Secretary at the registered office of the Company:
2020 (or, if the AGM is adjourned, no later than 48 hours before the Forward House, 17 High Street, Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire
time fixed for the adjourned meeting), in hard copy form by post, by B95 5AA, United Kingdom.
courier, or by hand to the Company’s Registrar, SLC Registrars,
Elder House, St Georges Business Park, Brooklands Road, Explanation of certain resolutions
Weybridge, Surrey KT13 0TS, United Kingdom. Submission of a 1. Resolution 1 – the Directors are required to present the accounts,
proxy appointment will not preclude a member from attending and Directors’ Report and Auditor’s Report to the meeting. These are
voting at the AGM should they wish to do so. To direct your proxy on contained in the Company’s Annual Report and Accounts 2020.
how to vote on the resolutions, mark the appropriate box on your 2. Resolution 2 – the shareholders are required to approve the
proxy form with an ‘X’. To abstain from voting on a resolution, select Remuneration Report for the year ended 31 March 2020.
the relevant 'Vote withheld' box. A vote withheld is not a vote in law, 3. Resolutions 3 and 4 – retirement of Directors by rotation
which means that the vote will not be counted in the calculation of – pursuant to Article 89.1 of the Articles, at each AGM, any Directors
votes for or against the resolution. If no voting indication is given, who are required to retire by rotation pursuant to the Articles, shall
your proxy will vote or abstain from voting at their discretion. Your retire and submit themselves for re‑election by shareholders.
proxy will vote (or abstain from voting) as they think fit in relation to 4. Resolution 5 – auditor reappointment and remuneration – at
any other matter which is put before the AGM. each meeting at which the Company’s accounts are presented to its
3. Any power of attorney or any other authority under which your shareholders, the Company is required to appoint an auditor to
proxy form is signed (or a duly certified copy of such power or serve until the next such meeting and seek shareholder consent for
authority) must be returned to the office of the Company’s Registrar the Directors to set the remuneration of the auditor.
with your proxy form. 5. Resolution 6 – general authority to allot – this resolution, to be
proposed as an ordinary resolution, relates to the grant to the
Thresholds and entitlement to vote Directors of authority to allot unissued Ordinary shares until the
4. To be passed, ordinary resolutions require a majority in favour of earlier of the conclusion of the AGM to be held in 2021 and
the votes cast in person or by proxy at the AGM and special 30 September 2021 (being six months after the financial year end of
resolutions require a majority of not less than 75% of members who the Company), unless the authority is renewed or revoked prior to
vote in person or by proxy at the AGM. On a show of hands every such time. This authority is limited to a maximum nominal amount
shareholder who is present in person (or being a company is present of £440.11 (representing 10% of the issued Ordinary share capital of
by a representative not themselves a shareholder) and who is the Company as at 31 July 2020 (the latest practicable date prior to
allowed to vote at a general meeting shall have one vote. Upon a the publication of this document)).
poll every member holding Ordinary shares who is present in person 6. Resolution 7 – statutory pre-emption rights – the Act requires
or by proxy (or being a company is represented) shall have one vote that if the Directors decide to allot unissued shares in the Company
for every Ordinary share of which they are the registered holder. or transfer them out of treasury, the shares proposed to be issued or
5. The Company, pursuant to Regulation 41 of the Uncertificated transferred must be first offered to existing shareholders in
Securities Regulations 2001 (as amended), specifies that only those proportion to their existing holdings. This is known as shareholders’
members registered in the Register of Members of the Company at pre-emption rights. However, to act in the best interests of the
6.30 p.m. on 22 September 2020 (or if the AGM is adjourned, members Company, the Directors may require flexibility to allot and/or
entered on the Register of Members of the Company no later than transfer shares out of treasury for cash without regard to the
48 hours before the time fixed for the adjourned AGM) shall be provisions of section 561(1) of the Act. Therefore this resolution, to
entitled to attend, speak and vote at the AGM in respect of the be proposed as a special resolution, seeks authority to enable the
number of Ordinary shares registered in their name at that time. Directors to allot and/or transfer equity securities out of treasury up
Changes to entries on the Register of Members of the Company after to a maximum nominal amount of £440.11 (representing 10% of the
6.30 p.m. on 22 September 2020 shall be disregarded in determining issued Ordinary share capital of the Company as at 31 July 2020 (the
the rights of any person to attend, speak or vote at the AGM. latest practicable date prior to the publication of this document)).
6. In the case of joint holders, where more than one of the joint holders This authority expires on the earlier of the conclusion of the AGM to
purports to appoint a proxy, only the appointment submitted by the be held in 2021 and 30 September 2021 (being six months after the
most senior holder will be accepted. Seniority is determined by the financial year end of the Company), unless the authority is renewed
order in which the names of the joint holders appear in the or revoked prior to such time.

7. Resolution 8 – market purchases – the Directors are requesting

authority for the Company to make market purchases of up to
44,010,970 Ordinary shares (representing 10% of the issued
Ordinary share capital of the Company as at 31 July 2020 (the latest
practicable date prior to the publication of this document)). There is
no present intention to exercise such general authority. Any
repurchase of Ordinary shares will be made subject to the Act and
within guidelines established from time to time by the Directors
(which will take into account the income and cash flow
requirements of the Company) and will be at the absolute discretion
of the Directors, and not at the option of shareholders. Subject to
shareholder authority for the proposed repurchases, general
purchases of the Ordinary shares in issue will only be made through
the market. Such purchases may only be made provided the price to
be paid is not more than the higher of: (i) 5% above the average of
the middle market quotations for the Ordinary shares for the five
Business Days before the purchase is made; or (ii) the higher of the
price of the last independent trade and the highest current
independent bid at the time of purchase.

MERCIA ASSET MANAGEMENT PLC
Forward House
17 High Street
Henley-in-Arden
+44 (0) 330 223 1430

www.mercia.co.uk

Complete - Connected - Capital: Annual Report and Accounts 2020

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Complete • Connected • Capital

Our purpose is to provide growth capital

Number of portfolio businesses

What’s in this report

Mercia Asset Management PLC

Assets under management (“AuM”)

Funds under management (“FuM”)

02 Mercia Asset Management PLC

£30.2m ›› 12 portfolio companies received new investment Woodall Nicholson

Direct investment portfolio ›› See more on

2019: £1.4m net expenses

Balance sheet Venture

Total portfolio 25 Total portfolio 233

Private equity Debt

Total portfolio 10 Total portfolio 119

04 Mercia Asset Management PLC

Strategic report Governance Financial statements

01 Ian Wilson, Fund Principal, North East

We have a solid track record of investing

Mercia Asset Management PLC

We pride ourselves on the

Our critical success factors

06 Mercia Asset Management PLC

Our focus Our locations

Times such as these can be

08 Mercia Asset Management PLC

Mercia Asset Management PLC

10 Mercia Asset Management PLC

Mercia Asset Management PLC

Capital We further strengthened our model of

12 Mercia Asset Management PLC

Initial average investment from

Successful fund exits in 2020

Mercia Asset Management PLC

14 Mercia Asset Management PLC

Strategy Strategy Strategy

Progress Progress Progress

Our focus has been on evaluating the short

Mercia Asset Management PLC

I am pleased to say that, in

16 Mercia Asset Management PLC

Mercia Asset Management PLC

Mercia’s investment model was developed to Fund performance Debt

18 Mercia Asset Management PLC

Mercia Asset Management PLC

Mercia successfully raised £30.0million

Mercia Asset Management PLC

Indicator How it was measured Performance

22 Mercia Asset Management PLC

Indicator How it was measured Performance

Net asset value

Mercia Asset Management PLC

As we enter the new financial

24 Mercia Asset Management PLC

Mercia Asset Management PLC

26 Mercia Asset Management PLC

Mercia Asset Management PLC

28 Mercia Asset Management PLC

Portfolio overview and liquidity

Total portfolio 25 Total portfolio 233

Total portfolio 10 Total portfolio 119

01 Ian Wilson, Fund Principal, North East