TIDMXCH

RNS Number : 0288R

Xchanging PLC

04 March 2016

4 March 2016

Xchanging plc

Full year results for the twelve months ended 31 December 2015

 
  GBPm (unless %)                       2015     2014 
-----------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 Net Revenue(1)                        400.5    406.8 
 Adjusted Operating Profit(2)           54.6     55.8 
 Adjusted Operating Profit 
  Margin                               13.6%    13.7% 
 Statutory Operating (Loss)/Profit    (38.5)     36.6 
 Adjusted EPS - Basic                   8.49    11.86 
 Net Cash(3)                          (27.8)     13.7 
 Xchanging's share of Net 
  Cash                                (61.8)   (31.6) 
 

1. Net revenue is total revenue less supplier costs on procurement contracts (where the Group acts as principal) that are incurred by the Group and recharged to the customer.

2. Adjusted operating profit excludes exceptional items (2015: GBP74.0 million expense 2014: GBP7.1 million expense), amortisation of intangible assets previously unrecognised by acquired entities (2015: GBP6.5 million 2014: GBP6.1 million) and acquisition-related expenses (2015: GBP12.6 million 2014: GBP6.0 million).

3. Net cash is calculated as cash and cash equivalents less bank loans and revolving credit facilities and finance lease liabilities.

Geoff Unwin, Chairman, commented: "At the half year 2015 we commented that the outlook for the full year 2015 was for a trading performance in line with the prior year. The outcome for 2015 was broadly in line with this, with net revenue of GBP400.5 million compared with GBP406.8 million in 2014, and adjusted operating profit of GBP54.6 million compared with GBP55.8 million in 2014.

During the year very disappointing events and performance occurred within the Procurement sector and a 'Split and Fix' plan, announced at the half year, was implemented in the second half of the year. More positively, it was especially pleasing to see the proving of our insurance software business Xuber, with material contracts being signed as we turned into 2016, in addition to the continuing solid performance of the core BPS business.

Whilst the operational developments and progress of the company are reviewed later in this report, strategically, a review of 2015 must be dominated by the takeover bid activity that took place in the second half of the year. Formal announcements have been made, as required by regulation, throughout the ongoing course of the bid process. Most significantly, following a formal bid made on 9 December 2015, which was supported by Xchanging's Board, on 18 January 2016, Computer Sciences Corporation ('CSC') declared their bid unconditional as to shareholder acceptances having secured shareholder commitments in respect of, or direct ownership of, approximately 87.06% of Xchanging's existing issued share capital. Subsequently, an announcement by CSC on 8 February 2016 confirmed this level had risen to approximately 91.78%.

On 15 February 2016, CSC announced that the US merger control condition set out in their offer document had been satisfied. There are further regulatory conditions to be satisfied before CSC's bid can become wholly unconditional and the process of obtaining these is underway by CSC. In order to accommodate this process, it was agreed with the Takeover Panel that the date by which the offer must become or be declared unconditional would be extended to 16 May 2016."

Enquiries

 
 Maitland   Tel: +44 (0) 207 379 5151 
 

Emma Burdett

Dan Yea

www.xchanging.com

@XchangingGroup

Linkedin/company/xchanging

Cautionary Statement:

This announcement contains forward-looking statements that are based on current expectations or beliefs, as well as assumptions about future events. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate only to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements often use words such as anticipate, target, expect, estimate, intend, plan, goal, believe, will, may, should, would, could, is confident, or other words of similar meaning. In particular, any statements regarding Xchanging's strategy, dividend policy and other future events or prospects are forward-looking statements. Undue reliance should not be placed on any such statements because they speak only as at the date of this announcement and, by their very nature, they are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and can be affected by other factors that could cause actual results, and Xchanging's plans and objectives, to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and there are a number of factors (many of which are outside of Xchanging's control) which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements. Among these factors are: increased competition, the loss of or damage to one or more key customer relationships, changes to customer ordering patterns, delays in obtaining customer approval or price level changes, the failure of one or more key suppliers, the outcome of business or industry restructuring, the outcome of any litigation, changes in economic conditions, currency fluctuations, changes in interest and tax rates, changes in raw material or energy market prices, changes in laws, regulations or regulatory policies, developments in legal or public policy doctrines, technological developments, the failure to retain key management, or the key timing and success of future acquisition opportunities or major investment projects.

Save for those forward-looking statements required by the Listing Rules, the Disclosure and Transparency Rules and/or the Prospectus Rules, Xchanging undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, and will not publicly release any revisions it may make to these forward-looking statements that may result from events or circumstances arising after the date of this announcements. Xchanging therefore will comply with its obligations to publish updated information as required by law or by any regulatory authority but assumes no further obligation to publish any additional information.

Results for the twelve months ended 31 December 2015

Chairman's statement

OVERVIEW OF THE YEAR

At the half year 2015 we commented that the outlook for the full year 2015 was for a trading performance in line with the prior year. The outcome for 2015 was broadly in line with this, with net revenue of GBP400.5 million compared with GBP406.8 million in 2014, and adjusted operating profit of GBP54.6 million compared with GBP55.8 million in 2014.

During the year very disappointing events and performance occurred within the Procurement sector and a 'Split and Fix' plan, announced at the half year, was implemented in the second half of the year. More positively, it was especially pleasing to see the proving of our insurance software business Xuber, with material contracts being signed as we turned into 2016, in addition to the continuing solid performance of the core BPS business.

STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT

Whilst the operational developments and progress of the company are reviewed later in this report, strategically, a review of 2015 must be dominated by the takeover bid activity that took place in the second half of the year. Formal announcements have been made, as required by regulation, throughout the ongoing course of the bid process. Most significantly, following a formal bid made on 9 December 2015, which was supported by Xchanging's Board, on 18 January 2016, Computer Sciences Corporation ('CSC') declared their bid unconditional as to shareholder acceptances having secured shareholder commitments in respect of, or direct ownership of, approximately 87.06% of Xchanging's existing issued share capital. Subsequently, an announcement by CSC on 8 February 2016 confirmed this level had risen to approximately 91.78%.

On 15 February 2016, CSC announced that the US merger control condition set out in their offer document had been satisfied. There are further regulatory conditions to be satisfied before CSC's bid can become wholly unconditional and the process of obtaining these is underway by CSC. In order to accommodate this process, it was agreed with the Takeover Panel that the date by which the offer must become or be declared unconditional would be extended to 16 May 2016.

BOARD

There were two changes to the Board composition in 2015. Effective 31 December 2015 we saw the retirement of Ken Lever from the role of Chief Executive, with Craig Wilson succeeding him, effective 1 January 2016, having joined the Board as Chief Executive Designate on 5 October 2015.

The Board would like to thank Ken for his outstanding contribution to Xchanging during five intensive years of transformation, and wish him well in his future endeavours. The Board also welcomes Craig to his new role.

As announced at the half year 2015, effective 31 December 2015, Michel Paulin stood down from his role as Non-Executive Director. The Board would like to thank Michel also for his contribution over his six year tenure of office.

PEOPLE

Once again this year I would like to thank all our employees for their unstinting dedication and hard work. They have tackled the operational challenges of the year resolutely and pressed ahead with enthusiasm in developing our significant potential. In the latter part of the year, they have remained steadfast despite the inevitable uncertainties arising from the bid activity. Xchanging would not be the valuable asset it is without their contribution.

DIVIDEND

It is a condition of CSC's offer that no dividend is recommended or paid and so the Board is not proposing one to shareholders.

ANNUAL REPORT

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Given the advanced stage of CSC's bid, although there remain regulatory conditions to be satisfied, our 2015 annual report has been written in a curtailed form against the backdrop of a likely change of control in the near future. However, at the time of writing, Xchanging remains an independent business, and the views in the annual report reflect this position.

CEO report

INTRODUCTION

I was appointed by the Board in September 2015 to succeed Ken Lever from 1 January 2016. I started as Chief Executive Designate on 5 October 2015 which has given me an opportunity to assess the business, the strategy, the events of 2015, and to ensure that we have a sound foundation for the future - whether this is as an independent company or as part of another entity.

At the half year 2015 we commented that the outlook for the full year 2015 was for a trading performance in line with the prior year. The outcome for 2015 was broadly in line with this, with net revenue of GBP400.5 million (2014: GBP406.8 million), adjusted operating profit ('AOP') of GBP54.6 million (2014: GBP55.8 million) and operating cash flow ('OCF') of negative GBP10.4 million down from the prior year (2014: GBP6.5 million), due largely to the working capital unwind of some GBP18.0 million from one contract exit in the UK.

Coming into 2015, Xchanging had completed the turnaround from being a Business Process Outsourcing company - characterised by a small number of large legacy contracts - to being a technology-led business services company. The elements of the strategy for 2015 were clearly set out in the 2014 annual report. In summary:

 
 --   Simplify the structure around Business Processing Services 
       ('BPS'), Technology (including the Xuber insurance software 
       business) and the Procurement business; 
 --   Invest in specific technology developments and acquisitions 
       to further differentiate these businesses; and 
 --   Complete the stabilisation or rundown of underperforming 
       legacy BPO businesses and contracts. 
 

In Insurance BPS, the strategy was to build on the unique relationship we already have with Lloyd's and the International Underwriters Association - our XIS and XCS joint ventures - by offering an enhanced range of elective services and by being an effective technology provider to our partners as they respond to the competitive challenges of the global insurance market. In Financial Services BPS, the strategy was to build on the capital markets businesses in Italy and Germany which had been stabilised through 2014.

In Technology, the strategy had two distinct elements: continue to invest in the Xuber business by integrating Total Objects and the businesses acquired from Agencyport into our existing business, and to grow the largely India-based Application Services business by providing clients with an agile alternative to the established tier-1 Indian 'pure play' providers.

In Procurement, the strategy was to build a differentiated, technology-led proposition based on the MM4 technology platform and enhanced by the Spikes Cavell spend-analytics solution (acquired in February 2015); reducing the reliance on a small number of legacy procurement BPO contracts.

It is clear that some of the most important elements of this strategy - in particular the investments in the Xuber business - have worked well and are bearing fruit. It is equally clear that other elements have not worked well; the problems we had with the Procurement business, albeit a small part of the overall business, were set out in our half year update in July. I will cover the 2015 performance in each of the businesses below.

Following the half year update, the second half of the year was overshadowed by the takeover bid activity. This is referenced in the Chairman's statement. Nonetheless, this report has been prepared as if the Company is to remain independent.

Business processing Services ('BPS')

BPS has performed strongly despite a number of anticipated challenges, including the decision by Aon to take back in-house on-shore claims processing; the decision by Lloyd's to change the responsibilities of the lead follower which reduced our claims processing volume (together these changes reduced net revenue by GBP18.9 million); and the weakening of the Euro and Australian dollar which adversely impacted net revenue by GBP2.8 million. Despite these and other challenges, net revenue for this business was GBP262.2 million (2014: GBP282.4 million). AOP was GBP61.0 million (2014: GBP64.6 million), representing an AOP margin of 23.3% (2014: 22.7%), largely reflecting the benefit of cost reduction initiatives taken last year.

BPS has continued to pursue the technology-enabled processing strategy and we are seeing encouraging signs of growth from new offerings. Robotic Process Automation has been embedded in our operations and is now being taken to our customers as part of our enhanced service offering.

We are now starting to exploit the software assets we have in Xuber with existing BPS clients in the London Market. We have combined our original Binder 360 offering with BinderCloud from the Total Objects acquisition. The new offering, BinderCloud 360, sits at the heart of our new menu of Delegated Underwriting Services. Launched in 2015, the service has been well received in the market, winning nine prestigious broker and carrier customers - including Catlin and Argo.

We are working closely with Lloyd's of London to provide support for the Central Services Refresh Programme ('CSRP') - part of the wider market modernisation. Within this, our current programme of new technology introductions, due to continue into 2016, is being well received. Our investment in 2015 of GBP8.1 million in developing this technology is key to ensuring that we remain at the heart of the London Market and contribute strongly to its competitiveness.

In the later part of the year, Lloyd's appointed Xchanging as their technology and processing partner for the Singapore Shared Service hub and we have already enrolled a number of managing agents in this service.

During the second half of the year we also made the decision to impair the Netsett asset by GBP2.9 million. Although we believe the long-term potential for this solution remains strong - a net settlement requirement forms one element of the London Market Target Operating Model - it is clear that in the short term, revenues from Netsett were too uncertain in terms of timing and quantum to justify the asset valuation.

In Australia, Xchanging continues to be a top performing service provider to the State of Victoria for the WorkSafe workers' compensation insurance service. This contract is being retendered and we think we are well-placed to maintain or grow our share of the transaction volume in the second half of 2016. We have also attracted a number of new customers in 2015 to the X-alt platform in which we have a 90% stake and launched in April. In 2015 we renewed the Toyota workers' compensation contract. Separately, the exit from the workers' compensation contract in the State of New South Wales has been completed without incident.

In our Financial Services BPS businesses we have made steady progress in Italy and Germany through 2015. In 2014 Xchanging took full control of Fondsdepot Bank in Germany from AGI and we have continued to invest in digitalisation to improve the productivity and competitiveness of this business. In Italy, we completed the stabilisation and integration of the two business (Kedrios and AR Enterprise).

Technology (INCLUDING XUBER)

The Technology business, including the Xuber insurance software business, has also performed well, despite the comparative effect of the exit from the London Metal Exchange ('LME') contract in May 2014 (following the decision to in-source this service after the exchange was acquired by Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited), and the impact on AOP of a higher amortisation charge of GBP11.7 million (2014: GBP8.4 million) from the increased investments in Xuber and acquisitions. Net revenue was GBP113.6 million (2014: GBP93.0 million). AOP was GBP14.5 million (2014: GBP6.8 million), representing an AOP margin of 12.8% (2014: 7.3%).

The acquisition of the European insurance software businesses from Agencyport Software, announced on 4 July 2014, was finally cleared by the Competition and Markets Authority ('CMA') on 29 April 2015. The process not only delayed our ability to integrate the business, but also put a material burden on management resource as well as incurring costs. In the meantime, this business continued to perform on a standalone basis in-line with our expectations and in-line with the acquisition business plan. Following CMA clearance, we have now completed the integration of the businesses acquired from Agencyport into our Xuber insurance software business, realising the synergies, product offering and new market opportunity benefits envisaged at the time of the acquisition.

Similarly, the Total Objects acquisition, completed in December 2014, is contributing well in its first full year and has been successfully building its customer base. Our Xuber insurance software business continues to strengthen its profile in the market signing over 30 new customers in 2015 across all of Xuber's software solutions. Three contracts are particularly significant: the first, a multi-year contract with the health service and insurance group Cigna covering initial licence and maintenance services and also future services provision; the second, with Aon to provide Xuber software, implementation services, ongoing support and hosting for its wholesale broking operations platform for the London Market; the third, a contract with Ariel Re which highlights Xuber's multi-territory capability.

A number of implementations including Everest Re are at an advanced stage of implementation. Building on our installed base of more than 200 customers, and with a strong pipeline, we remain confident in the growth potential of the Insurance Software business in 2016 and beyond.

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In our Application Services business, the strong growth momentum continues. We have won a significant number of new clients and substantially increased our portfolio of work with our existing customers. With nearly 2,000 software engineers, located across Bangalore, Gurgaon and Chennai and other centres, our Application Services business has seen steady growth over the last 3 years, moving to a strong profit contributor in 2015. We provide a range of applications services to a broad range of small and medium sized customers (mostly in the US, Europe and Singapore) who prefer to work with Xchanging rather than a tier-1 global integrator because we can provide a service which is more agile and more tailored to their needs.

Infrastructure Management Services ('IMS') has been a significant contributor to the Technology business performance in 2015. The business largely runs out of our own facilities in the UK and utilises suppliers and partners to provide IT infrastructure, data centre and network services. Approximately 55% of IMS revenues underpin offerings delivered by Xuber and BPS and this allows Xchanging to offer clients solutions in any required mode of operation: on-premise licence only; off-premise, fully-managed service; managed (dedicated) cloud service; software as a service ('SaaS'); or hybrid. Complementing IMS, the Data Integration business continues to do well and allows Xchanging to offer clients an end-to-end service for their network needs, from design all the way through to systems installation and management.

procurement

Although only a small part of the business (some 6% by revenue), as foreshadowed in our First Quarter 2015 Update published in April, and updated in the half year statement in July, the Procurement business has delivered extremely poor performance in 2015. This resulted in net revenue of GBP24.7 million (2014: GBP31.3 million), an AOP loss of GBP10.9 million (2014: GBP2.5 million loss) and GBP74.2 million of exceptional charges. Without the significant failure of the Procurement business, the Group would have exceeded the market expectations on AOP set at the start of 2015.

At the core of the issues in Procurement was a weak performance in the traditional procurement BPO business, exacerbated by clients' decisions to reduce volumes; gain-sharing thresholds which were not achieved; failure to match the rate of cost reduction to revenue declines; contract exits and contract renegotiations. These circumstances persisted throughout the year. We also noted that in the first half of 2015 we would bear the costs of the implementation process for the new Tail-end Spend Management ('TSM') business won in the second half of 2014, with significant benefits expected to start showing in the second half of the year. Whilst the costs of implementation were incurred in the first half as expected, the associated stream of new revenue was slow to gain momentum and significantly lagged our expectations, following the decision by our most significant client to sell the business that would have generated most of the volume. As a result, a mutual decision was made to exit the contract at the end of 2015. The combined effect of the traditional outsourcing and TSM businesses has significantly impacted the Procurement business result overall for 2015.

In our First Quarter 2015 Update we commented that a recovery plan was underway to address the challenges facing the Procurement business, and in the first half, significant work had been undertaken to manage the cost base. However, despite reducing the cost base, anticipated new contracts in the second quarter did not materialise, resulting in a deterioration of the financial year forecast for Procurement overall. This resulted in the 'Split and Fix' plan being announced at the half year.

The elements of this plan were:

 
 --   move the comparatively healthy UK BPO contracts into our 
       BPS business; 
 --   move MM4, Spikes Cavell and the few North American procurement 
       BPO contracts into the Technology business; 
 --   run-down the remaining procurement BPO contracts, including 
       our business in France; 
 --   materially reduce the overhead in the business in the second 
       half of the year; and 
 --   review the balance sheet judgements for Procurement in the 
       light of the performance. 
 

Elsewhere in this report we have detailed the balance sheet judgements relating to the Procurement business: goodwill impairment of GBP59.3 million; asset impairments of GBP8.0 million, and restructuring and onerous contract provisions of GBP6.9 million. Also the exit of one of the UK procurement BPO contacts in 2015 resulted in a one-off working capital outflow of GBP18.0 million.

The 'Split and Fix' plan is now substantially complete. We will not have a discrete Procurement business going forward.

In the light of the problems experienced in the Procurement business I have examined the controls regime across Xchanging to ensure that the issues experienced in the Procurement business are not repeated elsewhere - whether or not Xchanging continues as an independent company. As a consequence of this review, certain additional controls have been or will be added to other parts of the business to prevent similar events occurring.

Concluding remarks and outlook

The strategic imperative for the business can now be summarised as follows:

 
 --   Simplify the business around its core value proposition - 
       to be the leading provider of technology-enabled business 
       solutions to the global insurance industry; 
 --   Continue to develop the relationship we have with the London 
       Market by focusing on delivery performance, value for money 
       and innovation; 
 --   Bring the power of the Xuber portfolio to bear for existing 
       clients and new clients in North America and Asia, helping 
       them to compete in the digital, global marketplace for insurance; 
       and 
 --   Determinedly improve the contribution and predictability 
       of all our businesses. 
 

The foundations of this plan are strong. The organisational simplifications that are underway, together with the recent successes in the Xuber business with Aon and Cigna, and the success we are starting to see in the BPS business as we better exploit the capabilities we have across the firm, especially in Xuber, provide added confidence in the 2016 plan. Despite the uncertainty about our future ownership, the management team and I feel confident that with our plan, our clients, our people and our capabilities we can look forward to a year of revenue and profit growth in 2016 and a successful year for all our stakeholders.

Financial review

Financial indicators for 2015 are as follows:

 
  GBPm (unless %)                        2015     2014 
-----------------------------------  --------  ------- 
 Revenue                                440.2    573.5 
 Net Revenue(1)                         400.5    406.8 
 Adjusted Operating Profit(2)            54.6     55.8 
 Adjusted Operating Profit 
  Margin                                13.6%    13.7% 
 Statutory Operating (Loss)/Profit     (38.5)     36.6 
 Adjusted Operating Profit 
  before Tax                             46.9     51.1 
 Adjusted EPS - Basic                    8.49    11.86 
 Statutory EPS - Basic                (27.55)     6.62 
 Operating Cash Flow(3)                (10.4)      6.5 
 Adjusted Cash Conversion(4)             0.7%    17.2% 
 Net Cash(5)                           (27.8)     13.7 
 Xchanging's share of Net 
  Cash                                 (61.8)   (31.6) 
 Equity Free Cash Flow(6)              (19.0)    (7.6) 
 Return on Invested Capital(7)          20.9%    21.0% 
 Economic Profit(8)                      21.4     24.9 
-----------------------------------  --------  ------- 
 

1. Net revenue is total revenue less supplier costs on procurement contracts (where the Group acts as principal) that are incurred by the Group and recharged to the customer.

2. Adjusted operating profit excludes exceptional items (2015: GBP74.0 million expense 2014: GBP7.1 million expense), amortisation of intangible assets previously unrecognised by acquired entities (2015: GBP6.5 million 2014: GBP6.1 million) and acquisition-related expenses (2015: GBP12.6 million 2014: GBP6.0 million).

3. Operating cash flow is calculated as cash generated from operations less net capital expenditure (including pre-contract costs) (2015: GBP36.0 million 2014: GBP43.4 million) and dividends to non-controlling interests (2015: GBP12.5 million 2014: GBP11.2 million).

4. Adjusted cash conversion is calculated as operating cash flow, after adding back the cash impact of exceptional items (2015: GBP7.2 million inflow 2014: GBP0.7 million outflow) acquisition-related expenses (2015: GBP3.1 million 2014 GBP1.7 million) and the movement in customer cash accounts held by Fondsdepot Bank (2015: GBP0.5 million 2014: GBP0.7 million outflow) divided by adjusted operating profit.

5. Net cash is calculated as cash and cash equivalents less bank loans and revolving credit facilities and finance lease liabilities.

6. Equity free cash flow is calculated as operating cash flow less cash tax (2015: GBP4.7 million 2014: GBP12.4 million) and net interest paid including dividends received (2015: GBP3.9 million, 2014: GBP1.7 million).

7. Return on invested capital is adjusted operating profit (2015: GBP54.6 million 2014: GBP55.8 million) less a tax charge at the Group's effective tax rate (2015: 24.7% 2014:14.9%), divided by invested capital. Invested capital (2015: GBP196.3 million 2014: GBP226.3 million) is calculated as the Group's net assets (2015: GBP168.5 million 2014: GBP240.0 million), less net cash (2015: (GBP27.8 million) 2014: GBP13.7 million).

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8. Economic profit is adjusted operating profit (2015: GBP54.6 million 2014: GBP55.8 million) less a tax charge at the Group's effective tax rate (2015: 24.7% 2014: 14.9%), less a charge for invested capital. The charge for invested capital is calculated as the Group's invested capital (as defined above, (2015: GBP196.3 million 2014: GBP226.3 million)) multiplied by the Group's weighted average cost of capital, being 10.0% (2014: 10.0%).

GROUP FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

The trading performance for the 2015 year, on an adjusted basis, was broadly in line with 2014. Net revenue was GBP400.5 million (2014: GBP406.8 million), adjusted operating profit ('AOP') was GBP54.6 million (2014 GBP55.8 million) and operating cash flow ('OCF') was negative GBP10.4 million down from the prior year (2014 GBP6.5 million), due largely to the working capital unwind of some GBP18.0 million from one contract exit in the UK.

The sector performance is detailed in note 1, with the detail of the operational performance of each of our sectors outlined in the CEO report.

EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS

The statutory operating loss was GBP38.5 million (2014: GBP36.6 million profit), this includes GBP74.0 million (2014: GBP7.1 million) of exceptional items which are included in note 2. Of the net GBP74.0 million of exceptional items, GBP74.2 million related to the Procurement business.

CASH FLOWS

 
                                                          2015      2014 
                                                          GBPm      GBPm 
----------------------------------------------------   -------  -------- 
 Adjusting operating profit                               54.6      55.8 
 Adjusting items                                        (93.1)    (19.2) 
                                                       -------  -------- 
 Statutory operating (loss)/profit                      (38.5)      36.6 
 Depreciation and amortisation                            31.5      26.5 
 Non-cash items / non-cash exceptional items              76.3       9.3 
 Share based payments                                      2.2       2.7 
 Statutory operating profit less non-cash items           71.5      75.1 
-----------------------------------------------------  -------  -------- 
 (Decrease)/increase in customer cash deposits             0.5     (0.7) 
 Movement in working capital                            (23.7)     (7.9) 
 Movement in pensions                                    (3.7)     (6.2) 
 Movement in provisions                                  (6.5)       0.8 
 Cash generated from operations                           38.1      61.1 
-----------------------------------------------------  -------  -------- 
 Dividends to NCI                                       (12.5)    (11.2) 
 Capital expenditure                                    (36.0)    (43.4) 
 Operating Cash flow                                    (10.4)       6.5 
-----------------------------------------------------  -------  -------- 
 Interest                                                (3.9)     (1.7) 
 Tax                                                     (4.7)    (12.4) 
 Equity free cash flow from operations                  (19.0)     (7.6) 
-----------------------------------------------------  -------  -------- 
 Acquisitions and disposals (including put options)     (12.0)    (85.6) 
 Dividends paid to shareholders                          (6.8)     (6.1) 
 Other cash flows                                        (0.3)     (3.3) 
 Foreign currency movements                              (3.4)     (3.8) 
 Movements in net cash in the period                    (41.5)   (106.4) 
-----------------------------------------------------  -------  -------- 
 

The decrease in the movement in working capital was due to the exit of a large Procurement contract during the year, resulting in an GBP18.0 million outflow of working capital.

 
                                     FY 2015   FY 2014 
                                        GBPm      GBPm 
---------------------------------   --------  -------- 
 Cash 
 Xchanging wholly owned entities        96.7      92.8 
 Xchanging Solutions                    11.3       7.8 
 Enterprise Partnerships                19.5      28.6 
----------------------------------  --------  -------- 
                                       127.5     129.2 
 Xchanging's share of cash 
 Xchanging wholly owned entities        63.6      58.3 
 Xchanging Solutions                     8.5       5.9 
 Enterprise Partnerships(1)             21.4      19.7 
 
 Bank and other debt                 (155.3)   (115.5) 
 Xchanging's share of net cash        (61.8)    (31.6) 
----------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 

1. The aggregate cash balance in Enterprise Partnerships represents working capital and accumulated but unpaid distributions to the shareholders. Xchanging receives cash from Enterprise Partnerships through contractual licence fees and dividends. To provide greater transparency on the amount of cash that is attributable to the shareholders of Xchanging we show Xchanging's share of net cash. It takes a prudent view as it makes no attempt to allocate Xchanging's share of working capital that is held in the Enterprise Partnerships.

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE

The Group reduced its capital expenditure to GBP36.0 million in 2015 (2014: GBP46.7 million). Our organic investment programme can be split into three areas:

 
 --   Product development; 
 --   Internal change programme; and 
 --   Refresh. 
 

Material projects include CSRP (GBP8.1 million), Insurance Market Repository ('IMR') (GBP6.1 million), Xuber Enterprise Suite (GBP4.6 million), and a new SAP finance system (GBP5.8 million). We are working closely with Lloyd's of London to provide support for the CSRP - part of the wider market modernisation. Our investment in 2015 of GBP8.1 million in developing this technology is key to ensuring that we remain at the heart of the London market and contribute strongly to its competitiveness.

ACQUISITIONS

On 25 February 2015, the Group acquired 100% of the share capital of Spikes Cavell Analytic Limited ('Spikes Cavell'), a British company providing spend analytics technology and services mainly to public sector institutions in the UK and higher education authorities in the US, but also increasingly to the private sector. Xchanging paid an initial consideration of GBP3.8 million in cash with further payments of up to GBP3.1 million payable in 2015 and 2016, of which GBP0.4 million is recognised in the purchase price and GBP2.7 million is subject to certain performance targets being achieved. Goodwill was initially recognised on the acquisition, however it was impaired during the second half of the year as part of the broader Procurement sector goodwill impairment.

This table shows the total cash outflow during 2015 and potential future payments for acquisitions. Note that in the cash flow statement these amounts are presented net of any cash acquired from the business on acquisition.

 
                                 Date of      Total      Gross      Payments     Outstanding      Outstanding    Total 
                               transaction     to 31    payments     in 2015       deferred         related 
                                                Dec     in 2015       (net       consideration      payments 
                                               2014                  of cash 
                                                                    acquired) 
---------------------------  --------------  -------  ----------  -----------                                   ------ 
                                                                                     2016        2016    2017 
---------------------------  --------------  -------  ----------  -----------  ---------------  ------  ------  ------ 
                                               GBPm      GBPm         GBPm           GBPm        GBPm    GBPm 
---------------------------  --------------  -------  ----------  -----------  ---------------  ------  ------  ------ 
 Acquisition of AR            October 
  Enterprise                   2012            17.8       2.3         2.3             -           0.1      -     20.2 
                              September 
 Acquisition of MM4            2013            13.5       4.9         4.9             -           0.9      -     19.3 
 Xchanging Italy put          January 
  option exercise              2014            4.0         -           -              -            -       -      4.0 
 Investment in MachineShop    March 2014       0.6         -           -              -            -       -      0.6 
 Businesses acquired 
  from Agencyport             July 2014        63.1        -           -              -            -       -     63.1 
 FdB put option exercise      July 2014        10.8        -           -              -            -       -     10.8 
 Acquisition of Total         December 
  Objects                      2014            18.7       0.8         0.8            0.8          3.0     3.5    26.8 
 Acquisition of Spikes        February 
  Cavell                       2015             -         4.2         4.0             -           1.8      -      6.0 
---------------------------  --------------  -------  ----------  -----------  ---------------  ------  ------  ------ 
 Total                                        128.5      12.2         12.0           0.8          5.8     3.5    150.8 
-------------------------------------------  -------  ----------  -----------  ---------------  ------  ------  ------ 
 

BORROWING FACILITIES AND COVENANTS

As at 31 December 2015, GBP155.0 million (2014: GBP115.0 million) was drawn as cash under the Group's credit facility and a further GBP0.8 million (2014: GBP0.8 million) was utilised through guarantees. Refer to note 9 for more information regarding the Group's borrowing facilities.

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As at 31 December the Group was compliant with both of its financial covenants:

 
                   As at 31    As at 31    Metric                       Test Criteria 
                    December    December 
                    2015        2014 
----------------  ----------  ----------  ---------------------------  -------------- 
                                           Ratio of Xchanging's 
                                            share of EBITDA to 
                                            net consolidated finance    Minimum of 
 Interest cover    11.5x       21.6x        charges                      5.0x 
----------------  ----------  ----------  ---------------------------  -------------- 
                                           Ratio of consolidated 
                                            borrowings to Xchanging's   Maximum of 
 Leverage          2.2x        1.8x         share of EBITDA              3.0x 
----------------  ----------  ----------  ---------------------------  -------------- 
 

DIVIDENDS

It is a condition of CSC's offer that no dividend is recommended or paid and so the Board is not proposing one to shareholders.

Principal risks and uncertainties

The below table gives examples of what we do to manage our principal risks. The Board considers these to be the most significant risks that could materially affect the Group's financial condition, performance, strategies and prospects. The risks listed do not comprise all risks faced by the Group and are not set out in any order of priority. Additional risks not presently known to management, or currently deemed to be less material, may also have an adverse effect on the business.

 
 Risk                          Risk description and                           Mitigating Actions 
                                    potential 
                                      Impact 
--------------------------  -------------------------  --------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Takeover implications       On 9 December 2015, CSC 
                             announced a unanimously      *    We have been transparent on all aspects of the offer 
                             recommended cash offer            process and are working closely with our employees 
                             for Xchanging at a price          and our clients. We have put mitigating actions in 
                             of 190 pence per share.           place where appropriate. The risks of the proposed 
                             The board of Xchanging            acquisition not proceeding has also been identified 
                             recommended that                  and assessed. 
                             Xchanging 
                             shareholders accept the 
                             offer from CSC for the       *    Delivering high quality services and delivery on our 
                             reasons set out in CSC's          financial plans continue to be our top priorities. 
                             offer document, 
                             including 
                             the significant premium 
                             it implies. 
                             The Directors believe 
                             that, 
                             as a standalone 
                             business, 
                             Xchanging has a good 
                             future. 
                             However there are 
                             certain 
                             benefits of being 
                             acquired 
                             by a significantly 
                             larger 
                             organisation with a 
                             greater 
                             scale of technology and 
                             a larger insurance 
                             client 
                             base. The Directors also 
                             view the proposed 
                             acquisition 
                             as being positive for 
                             shareholders 
                             and customers. 
                             There is a risk of 
                             uncertainty 
                             during the period 
                             between 
                             the announced bid and 
                             the 
                             pending change of 
                             control 
                             in terms of employee 
                             morale, 
                             senior management 
                             distraction 
                             and the perception of 
                             this 
                             transaction with clients 
                             and prospective clients. 
                             Further, should the 
                             proposed 
                             acquisition not proceed 
                             to a conclusion, there 
                             could be a further 
                             period 
                             of uncertainty. 
--------------------------  -------------------------  --------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Failure to secure           We operate in dynamic 
  new business               and                          *    Investing in innovative products and services for 
  from both new              competitive markets and,          both new and existing customers. 
  and existing               as such, failure to 
  customers                  secure 
                             new business could           *    Ability to offer competitive low-cost offshore 
                             result                            services. 
                             in the slowdown in the 
                             replacement of 
                             businesses                   *    Market dynamics monitoring and service enhancement. 
                             exited during 2015. 
                             This risk materialised 
                             in the current period        *    We have implemented more rigorous sales review and 
                             within                            contract governance processes which will help us to 
                             the Procurement sector.           focus our resources on the highest quality 
                             The associated stream of          opportunities. This improves controls over the 
                             new revenue was slow to           scrutiny of commercial, legal and delivery risks. 
                             gain momentum and 
                             significantly 
                             lagged behind our            *    We have implemented more robust account management 
                             expectations.                     structures which will help us to increase client 
                             Over the last two years           satisfaction, to retain clients, and to grow the 
                             Software licences have            existing revenue base through the cross selling of 
                             become an increasingly            other products and services. 
                             important element of our 
                             offerings. The timing of 
                             signing of licences is 
                             difficult to foresee so 
                             our revenue may become 
                             less predictable than 
                             before. 
--------------------------  -------------------------  --------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Loss of our unique          Given our unique 
  position in the            position                     *    We continue to utilise our signi cant domain 
  London insurance           in the London insurance           expertise in this area in order to establish 
  market                     market, we must continue          ourselves as the leading provider to the market. 
                             to ensure that we 
                             provide 
                             a high quality service       *    Through XIS, our joint venture with Lloyd's and IUA, 
                             and invest in the future          Xchanging has invested in the Central Services 
                             development of this               Refresh Programme. This investment specifically 
                             market.                           provides for the processing of global standard 
                             A reduction in our role           re/insurance accounting and settlement and claims 
                             in this market would              messages to make the London Market and the central 
                             have                              services platform more attractive to brokers to place 
                             a significant impact on           business. 
                             our profitability. 
 
                                                          *    There has also been continued investment in the 
                                                               London Market Insurers Market Repository platform now 
                                                               storing over 50 million customer documents. The XIS 
                                                               joint-venture is actively engaging in the London 
                                                               Market Target Operating Model modernisation programme 
                                                               and was selected by Lloyd's to supply services to the 
                                                               Lloyd's businesses operating in Singapore using 

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                                                               Xchanging's Total Objects insurance software. 
 
 
                                                          *    A new generation of technology enabled insurance 
                                                               services has been launched with positive customer 
                                                               interest. These services are powered by Xchanging's 
                                                               Total Objects BinderCloud technology and directed at 
                                                               customers' delegated "binding" authority business. 
 
 
                                                          *    In the Director's view, following completion of the 
                                                               proposed takeover by CSC, the scale of CSC's 
                                                               insurance relationships would help to mitigate this 
                                                               risk further. 
--------------------------  -------------------------  --------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Failure to utilise          With the new generation 
 and exploit                 of competitors and             *    Injecting technology-enablement into our products and 
 technology-enablement       products                            services is core to our growth strategy and we have 
 for growth                  coming on to the market             taken the following steps: 
                             and the onset of digital 
                             technology disrupting 
                             our                           o Making digital enablement 
                             chosen markets and our        an overt 
                             clients' traditional          part of every group business 
                             business                      IT 
                             models there is a risk        strategy; 
                             that if Xchanging fails       o Tasking our Group IT & Change 
                             to respond to embrace         Committee with the role of 
                             new                           Digital 
                             technologies and deliver      leadership across all group 
                             innovative products, it       businesses; 
                             will lose relevance and       o Working to ensure that Xchanging 
                             market share.                 is at the heart of market 
                                                           modernisation within the 
                                                           Insurance 
                                                           sector; 
                                                           o Continuing to Invest in 
                                                           Xuber to 
                                                           develop a market-leading 
                                                           technology offering; 
                                                           o Investing in developing 
                                                           new 
                                                           offerings and innovative 
                                                           value- 
                                                           adding customer solutions; 
                                                           and 
                                                           o Review our existing products 
                                                           and 
                                                           services to ensure that they 
                                                           meet 
                                                           our customers' requirements. 
                                                            *    In the Directors' view, the scale of CSC's IT 
                                                                 capability would help to mitigate this risk further. 
--------------------------  -------------------------  --------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Failure to integrate        The Group may be 
  new acquisitions           unsuccessful                 *    Business, legal, tax and financial due diligence 
  successfully               in evaluating material            carried out prior to acquisition to seek to identify 
                             risks involved in                 and evaluate material risks and plan the integration 
                             completed                         process. 
                             acquisitions and may be 
                             unsuccessful in 
                             integrating                  *    Warranties and indemnities included in purchase 
                             any acquired operations           agreements. 
                             with its existing 
                             businesses. 
                             If material risks are        *    Board oversight of material acquisitions and review 
                             not                               of the integration and performance of recent and 
                             identified prior to               prior acquisitions. 
                             acquisition 
                             or the Group experiences 
                             difficulties in 
                             integrating 
                             an acquired business, it 
                             may not realise the 
                             expected 
                             benefits from such an 
                             acquisition 
                             and the Group's 
                             financial 
                             condition could be 
                             adversely 
                             affected. 
--------------------------  -------------------------  --------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Customer concentration      A concentration of 
  in key markets             material                     *    Our commercial risks continue to be well managed 
                             contracts can lead to a           through legal review, delegated authorities and 
                             reliance on specific              contract monitoring processes. 
                             customers, 
                             which may result in 
                             increased                    *    We use dedicated management teams and executive 
                             variability and                   involvement to ensure our performance with all large 
                             uncertainty                       clients. 
                             in the Group's results 
                             if one of those 
                             contracts                    *    We continue to invest in sales to grow our client 
                             were to be lost. Partial          base, decreasing client concentration and 
                             or full termination of            diversifying risk. 
                             certain customer 
                             contracts 
                             could result in 
                             impairment 
                             of goodwill as well as 
                             impacting operational 
                             performance. 
--------------------------  -------------------------  --------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Contract management         Our reputation, and 
  (including contract        ultimately                   *    Detailed implementation and delivery plans with 
  execution and              our profitability, is             strong management control and oversight. 
  initial contracting        dependent 
  process)                   upon the high level of 
                             service we deliver in        *    Use of experienced employees with strong project, 
                             implementing                      change and people management skills. 
                             existing and new 
                             contracts 
                             for our customers. It is     *    Key stakeholder Relations Plan. 
                             also dependent upon 
                             turning 
                             high quality                 *    Customer Service Review Boards. 
                             opportunities 
                             into deliverable, 
                             profitable                   *    The proposed takeover by CSC should give the Xuber 
                             contracts.                        business additional flexibility in the provision of 
                             In the Xuber business,            resources to support the growing Xuber client base. 
                             success in delivering 
                             Xuber 
                             licences and sales           *    Major programme and project reporting has been 
                             creates                           improved. Projects are monitored using consistent 
                             an additional level of            industry-standard reporting metrics, with oversight 
                             risk in implementing the          from the Group Change programme management office. 
                             software in new clients. 
                             Failure to meet our 
                             customers'                   *    We have implemented a more rigorous sales review and 

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                             expectations and                  governance processes which will help us to focus our 
                             contractual                       resources on the highest quality opportunities. This 
                             commitments would have            improves controls over the scrutiny of commercial, 
                             a signi cant impact upon          legal and delivery risks. 
                             our reputation and pro 
                             tability and could 
                             result 
                             in unexpected and costly 
                             litigation. 
                             This risk materialised 
                             in the current year 
                             within 
                             our Procurement sector. 
                             Clients decided to 
                             reduce 
                             contract volumes, 
                             gain-share 
                             thresholds were not met 
                             and there was a weak 
                             performance 
                             on the traditional BPO 
                             contracts. As a result, 
                             the 'Split and Fix' plan 
                             was executed. 
--------------------------  -------------------------  --------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Failure to attract,         The knowledge, skills 
  select, develop            and                          *    Remuneration policies designed to attract, retain and 
  and retain key             performance of our                reward appropriate employees. 
  personnel                  employees 
                             are central to our 
                             success.                     *    Talent strategy to provide opportunities for 
                             We must attract, develop          employees to develop careers. 
                             and retain the talent 
                             required 
                             to fulfil our ambitions.     *    Formalised objective setting in place for employees. 
                             Inability to retain key 
                             knowledge and adequately 
                             plan for succession          *    Bonus scheme in place for relevant employees based on 
                             could                             business and individual objectives. 
                             have a negative impact 
                             on Company performance. 
                             Our success depends on       *    Continuing to extend and embed our established talent 
                             the ability to attract            management framework across the Group in order to 
                             and retain key talent             engage and empower people whilst delivering results 
                             and                               and managing performance. 
                             it relies on having good 
                             relations with 
                             colleagues.                  *    Assessing our current organisational competence and 
                             There is a risk that we           capability against that required to maximise current 
                             are unable to attract             and future shareholder value. 
                             and 
                             retain key talent, build 
                             future leadership            *    Ensuring succession plans are in place for all 
                             capability                        identified business critical roles, in particular 
                             and maintain the                  emergency successors for all senior management roles 
                             commitment                        and that these plans are reviewed every six months. 
                             and trust of our 
                             employees. 
                             If we face challenges in     *    Developed a structured and standard approach to be 
                             managing and maintaining          applied where necessary to key individuals during 
                             our talent pipeline in            periods of uncertainty and/or organisational change 
                             order to deliver against          in order to retain top talent in business critical 
                             our strategy, to drive            roles. 
                             competiveness and 
                             maximise 
                             on our operating             *    Implemented a process to identify and deliver 
                             performance,                      programmes targeted at high potential talent in order 
                             this could impact on our          to drive competiveness and maximise operating 
                             ability to future proof           performance. 
                             the Group and the 
                             associated 
                             potential for negative       *    Driving high performance and engagement through our 
                             impact on shareholder             performance review, development plans and career 
                             confidence.                       planning process. 
--------------------------  -------------------------  --------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Cyber Attack                The increasing 
                             digitalization               *    Commitment from the Board and the Executive Committee 
                             of our business raises            in support of key initiatives to ensure all existing 
                             the importance of focus           and future IT systems are secure by design, that 
                             on strong information             exposure to vulnerability is managed effectively and 
                             security                          that user access is sufficiently controlled. 
                             controls. Information is 
                             an essential asset and 
                             is vitally important to      *    Implementation and continual improvement of a group 
                             Xchanging's business              information security management system to provide 
                             operations                        assurance that appropriate controls are in place to 
                             and long-term viability.          detect and prevent cyber-attacks and data leakage. 
                             Xchanging operates in a 
                             competitive market and 
                             any unauthorised 
                             disclosure 
                             of data would 
                             significantly 
                             impact customer 
                             confidence, 
                             incur financial costs 
                             and 
                             damage our 
                             competiveness. 
                             Xchanging is committed 
                             to maintaining and 
                             protecting 
                             all of the information 
                             in accordance with its 
                             value, sensitivity and 
                             the risks to which it is 
                             exposed, in a manner 
                             consistent 
                             with all relevant legal, 
                             regulatory and 
                             contractual 
                             requirements. 
                             Inadequate or 
                             inefficient 
                             security controls could 
                             result in the theft, 
                             disruption 
                             destruction of assets 
                             and 
                             services. This would 
                             have 
                             a negative impact on our 
                             key stakeholders, 
                             associated 
                             reputational damage and 
                             potential for financial 
                             implications. 
--------------------------  -------------------------  --------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Financial risks             The Group's nancial 
                             results                      *    Enhanced budgeting, forecasting and working capital 
                             may be subject to                 and treasury controls. These controls are being 
                             volatility                        enhanced by increasing the granularity, frequency and 
                             arising from movements            intensity of financial performance reviews. They are 
                             in interest and foreign           also being enhanced with the establishment of the new 
                             exchange rates, pension           SAP finance system. 
                             asset and liability 
                             valuations, 
                             and changes in taxation      *    A rolling 12 month FX hedging programme which aims to 
                             legislation, policy or            reduce the Group's in year exposure to FX transaction 
                             tax rates.                        risk. 
                             The capital structure of 
                             the Group includes bank 

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                             debt that is subject to      *    Active management of the assets and liabilities in 
                             leverage and interest             the Group's defined benefit pension schemes. 
                             cover 
                             financial covenants and 
                             other representations        *    Tax controls and processes to manage tax compliance 
                             and                               and address changes in tax legislation and tax rates. 
                             warranties commonly 
                             associated 
                             with corporate bank          *    Forward looking compliance against financial 
                             debt.                             covenants and warranties is reviewed on a monthly 
                             Without effective                 basis for a forward period of at least 12 months. 
                             financial 
                             controls, we could be 
                             exposed                      *    The capital structure of the Group is reviewed by the 
                             to financial losses               Board on a regular basis. 
                             which 
                             may have a significant 
                             impact on the ability of     *    Investment decisions are considered within the 
                             the business to operate.          context of the impact they will have on the Group's 
                             We must safeguard                 current and forecast leverage ratio. 
                             business 
                             assets and ensure 
                             accuracy                     *    The financial reporting process and control system is 
                             and reliability of                monitored and maintained through the use of internal 
                             records                           control frameworks which address key financial 
                             and financial reporting.          reporting risks, including risks arising from changes 
                                                               in the business or accounting standards. 
 
 
                                                          *    The delivery of a centrally co- ordinated ssurance 
                                                               programme by the Internal Audit department that 
                                                               includes key business and finance risk areas. The 
                                                               findings and recommendations of each review are 
                                                               reported to both management and the Audit Committee. 
--------------------------  -------------------------  --------------------------------------------------------------- 
 

Consolidated income statement for the year ended 31 December 2015

 
 
                                                   2015                                   2014 
                                    Adjusted   Adjustments(1)     Total   Adjusted   Adjustments(1)      Total 
                             Note       GBPm             GBPm      GBPm       GBPm             GBPm       GBPm 
--------------------------  -----  ---------  ---------------  --------  ---------  ---------------  --------- 
 Revenue                      1        440.2                -     440.2      573.5                -      573.5 
--------------------------  -----  ---------  ---------------  --------  ---------  ---------------  --------- 
 Net revenue(2)                        400.5                -     400.5      406.8                -      406.8 
--------------------------  -----  ---------  ---------------  --------  ---------  ---------------  --------- 
 Gross profit                           65.3           (32.6)      32.7       69.3           (27.3)       42.0 
 Administrative 
  expenses                            (10.7)           (63.2)    (73.9)     (13.5)            (2.2)     (15.7) 
 Other income                 2            -              2.7       2.7          -             10.3       10.3 
--------------------------  -----  ---------  ---------------  --------  ---------  ---------------  --------- 
 Operating profit/(loss)      1         54.6           (93.1)    (38.5)       55.8           (19.2)       36.6 
 Finance costs                         (8.4)                -     (8.4)      (5.6)                -      (5.6) 
 Finance income                          0.9                -       0.9        0.7              0.6        1.3 
 Share of (loss)/profit 
  from joint venture                   (0.2)                -     (0.2)        0.2                -        0.2 
 Profit/(loss) 
  before taxation                       46.9           (93.1)    (46.2)       51.1           (18.6)       32.5 
 Taxation                     3       (11.6)              5.1     (6.5)      (7.6)              4.5      (3.1) 
--------------------------  -----  ---------  ---------------  --------  ---------  ---------------  --------- 
 Profit/(loss) 
  for the year                          35.3           (88.0)    (52.7)       43.5           (14.1)       29.4 
--------------------------  -----  ---------  ---------------  --------  ---------  ---------------  --------- 
 
 Attributable to: 
 Owners of the 
  parent                                21.0           (89.1)    (68.1)       28.9           (12.8)       16.1 
 Non-controlling 
  interests                             14.3              1.1      15.4       14.6            (1.3)       13.3 
--------------------------  -----  ---------  ---------------  --------  ---------  ---------------  --------- 
                                        35.3           (88.0)    (52.7)       43.5           (14.1)       29.4 
--------------------------  -----  ---------  ---------------  --------  ---------  ---------------  --------- 
 
 Earnings per share attributable to owners of the parent (expressed 
  in pence per share) 
 Basic earnings 
  per share                  4          8.49                    (27.55)      11.86                        6.62 
 
 Diluted earnings 
  per share                  4          8.49                    (27.55)      11.69                        6.52 
--------------------------  -----  ---------  ---------------  --------  ---------  ---------------  --------- 
 
 
 
 1.   Adjustments in 2015 and 2014 are presented in note 4. 
 2.   Net revenue excludes principal spend on Procurement contracts 
       that arise from suppliers' costs that are passed on to 
       the customer. 
 

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year ended 31 December 2015

 
                                                   2015     2014 
                                                   GBPm     GBPm 
---------------------------------------------   -------  ------- 
 
 (Loss)/profit for the year                      (52.7)     29.4 
 Items that may be reclassified to profit 
  or loss 
 Revaluation of available-for-sale financial 
  assets                                            0.1    (0.8) 
 Fair value movements on hedging instrument 
  qualifying for hedge accounting                 (0.4)        - 
 Fair value movements on hedging instrument 
  recycled to the income statement upon 
  de-designation                                    0.7    (0.6) 
 Currency translation differences                 (2.7)      0.6 
 Total items that may be reclassified to 
  profit or loss                                  (2.3)    (0.8) 
----------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 Items that will not be reclassified to 
  profit or loss 
 Actuarial gains/(losses) arising from 
  retirement benefit obligations                    1.2   (19.2) 
 Tax in respect of items that will not 
  be reclassified                                 (0.6)      4.3 
----------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 Total items that will not be reclassified 
  to profit or loss                                 0.6   (14.9) 
----------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 Other comprehensive expense for the year         (1.7)   (15.7) 
----------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 Total comprehensive income for the year         (54.4)     13.7 
----------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 
 Attributable to: 
 Owners of the parent                            (69.8)      1.5 
 Non-controlling interests                         15.4     12.2 
----------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
                                                 (54.4)     13.7 
 ---------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 

Consolidated cash flow statement for the year ended 31 December 2015

 
                                                                     2015      2014 
                                                            Note     GBPm      GBPm 
---------------------------------------------------------  -----  -------  -------- 
 Cash flows from operating activities 
 Cash generated from operations                              12      38.1      61.1 
 Income tax paid                                                    (4.7)    (12.4) 
---------------------------------------------------------  -----  -------  -------- 
 Net cash generated from operating activities                        33.4      48.7 
 
 Cash flows from investing activities 
 Acquisition cost of subsidiaries net of cash acquired             (12.0)    (74.9) 
 Acquisition of equity investment                                       -     (0.6) 
 Purchase of property, plant and equipment                          (2.4)     (8.3) 
 Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment                    -       4.7 
 Purchase of intangible assets                               7     (33.1)    (33.9) 

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 Pre-contract expenditure                                           (0.5)     (1.2) 
 Interest received                                                    0.9       0.8 
 Net cash used in investing activities                             (47.1)   (113.4) 
 
 Cash flows from financing activities 
 Proceeds from issue of shares                                        0.2       1.7 
 Purchase of own shares                                                 -     (2.4) 
 Proceeds from borrowings                                            39.7     114.3 
 Transaction costs of arranged borrowings                           (0.4)     (2.6) 
 Interest paid                                                      (4.8)     (2.5) 
 Dividends paid to owners of the parent                             (6.8)     (6.1) 
 Dividends paid to non-controlling interests                       (12.5)    (11.2) 
 Acquisition of non-controlling interest in subsidiaries                -    (14.8) 
 Net cash generated from financing activities                        15.4      76.4 
---------------------------------------------------------  -----  -------  -------- 
 Net increase in cash and cash equivalents                            1.7      11.7 
---------------------------------------------------------  -----  -------  -------- 
 Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January                             129.2     121.3 
 Effects of exchange adjustments                                    (3.4)     (3.8) 
---------------------------------------------------------  -----  -------  -------- 
 Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December                           127.5     129.2 
---------------------------------------------------------  -----  -------  -------- 
 

Consolidated balance sheet as at 31 December 2015

 
                                                              2015      2014 
                                                    Note      GBPm      GBPm 
-------------------------------------------------  -----  --------  -------- 
 Assets 
 Non-current assets 
 Goodwill                                            6       155.5     209.4 
 Other intangible assets                             7       121.4     123.0 
 Property, plant and equipment                                14.3      17.9 
 Investment in joint venture and associates                    1.1       1.4 
 Available-for-sale financial assets                           2.7       2.6 
 Trade and other receivables                                   3.9       6.2 
 Deferred income tax assets                          3        35.9      35.9 
-------------------------------------------------  -----  --------  -------- 
 Total non-current assets                                    334.8     396.4 
-------------------------------------------------  -----  --------  -------- 
 
 Current assets 
 Current income tax receivable                                 0.7       1.2 
 Borrowings                                          9         0.8       0.6 
 Other financial assets                                        0.9       0.5 
 Trade and other receivables                                  97.7     116.6 
 Cash and cash equivalents                           10      127.5     129.2 
 Total current assets                                        227.6     248.1 
-------------------------------------------------  -----  --------  -------- 
 Total assets                                                562.4     644.5 
-------------------------------------------------  -----  --------  -------- 
 
 Liabilities 
 Current liabilities 
 Trade and other payables                                   (93.5)   (141.0) 
 Current income tax liabilities                              (8.9)     (4.3) 
 Borrowings                                          9       (0.1)     (0.2) 
 Customer accounts                                          (33.0)    (34.5) 
 Other financial liabilities                         8       (7.0)     (3.2) 
 Provisions                                          14     (13.8)    (18.0) 
-------------------------------------------------  -----  --------  -------- 
 Total current liabilities                                 (156.3)   (201.2) 
-------------------------------------------------  -----  --------  -------- 
 
 Non-current liabilities 
 Trade and other payables                                    (5.5)     (2.0) 
 Borrowings                                          9     (154.0)   (113.8) 
 Other financial liabilities                         8           -     (0.7) 
 Deferred income tax liabilities                     3      (14.0)    (17.5) 
 Retirement benefit obligations                             (61.9)    (67.4) 
 Provisions                                          14      (2.2)     (1.9) 
-------------------------------------------------  -----  --------  -------- 
 Total non-current liabilities                             (237.6)   (203.3) 
-------------------------------------------------  -----  --------  -------- 
 Total liabilities                                         (393.9)   (404.5) 
-------------------------------------------------  -----  --------  -------- 
 Net assets                                                  168.5     240.0 
-------------------------------------------------  -----  --------  -------- 
 Equity attributable to owners of the parent 
 Ordinary shares                                              12.4      12.2 
 Share premium                                               111.0     111.0 
 Other reserves                                               47.9      49.6 
 Retained earnings                                          (29.1)      43.8 
-------------------------------------------------  -----  --------  -------- 
 Equity attributable to the owners of the parent             142.2     216.6 
  Non-controlling interest in equity                          26.3      23.4 
-------------------------------------------------  -----  --------  -------- 
 Total equity                                                168.5     240.0 
-------------------------------------------------  -----  --------  -------- 
 

Consolidated statement of changes in equity for the year ended 31 December 2015

 
                                       Attributable to owners of the parent 
                              Ordinary        Share        Other     Retained    Total   Non-controlling         Total 
                                shares      premium     reserves     earnings                interest in        equity 
                                                                                                  equity 
                     Note         GBPm         GBPm         GBPm         GBPm     GBPm              GBPm          GBPm 
------------------  -----  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -------  ----------------  ------------ 
 At 1 January 2014                12.1        110.5         67.7         29.2    219.5              22.6         242.1 
 Profit for the 
  year                               -            -            -         16.1     16.1              13.3          29.4 
 Other 
  comprehensive 
  expense                            -            -       (14.6)            -   (14.6)             (1.1)        (15.7) 
------------------  -----  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -------  ----------------  ------------ 
 
 Total 
  comprehensive 
  income for the 
  year                               -            -       (14.6)         16.1      1.5              12.2          13.7 
 Share-based 
  payments                           -            -            -          2.7      2.7                 -           2.7 
 Deferred tax on 
  share-based 
  payments              3            -            -            -        (0.2)    (0.2)                 -         (0.2) 
 Shares issued in 
  respect of 
  employee 
  share-based 
  payments                         0.1          0.5            -          1.1      1.7                 -           1.7 
 Purchase of own 
  shares                             -            -            -        (2.4)    (2.4)                 -         (2.4) 
 Subscription for 
  shares by 
  Employee Benefit 
  Trust                              -            -            -        (0.3)    (0.3)                 -         (0.3) 
 Transaction with 
  non-controlling 
  interest                           -            -        (3.5)          3.7      0.2             (0.2)             - 
 Dividends paid         5            -            -            -        (6.1)    (6.1)            (11.2)        (17.3) 
------------------  -----  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -------  ----------------  ------------ 
 Total 
  transactions 
  with owners, 
  recognised 
  directly in 
  equity                           0.1          0.5        (3.5)        (1.5)    (4.4)            (11.4)        (15.8) 
 At 31 December 
  2014                            12.2        111.0         49.6         43.8    216.6              23.4         240.0 
------------------  -----  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -------  ----------------  ------------ 
 (Loss)/profit for 
  the year                           -            -            -       (68.1)   (68.1)              15.4        (52.7) 
 Other 
  comprehensive 
  expense                            -            -        (1.7)            -    (1.7)                 -         (1.7) 
------------------  -----  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -------  ----------------  ------------ 
 Total 
  comprehensive 
  (expense)/income 
  for the year                       -            -        (1.7)       (68.1)   (69.8)              15.4        (54.4) 
 
 Share-based 
  payments                           -            -            -          2.2      2.2                 -           2.2 
 Deferred tax on 
 share-based 
 payments               3            -            -            -            -        -                 -             - 
 Shares issued in 
  respect of 
  employee 
  share-based 

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  payments                         0.2            -            -            -      0.2                 -           0.2 
 Purchase of own 
 shares                              -            -            -            -        -                 -             - 
 Subscription for 
  shares by 
  Employee Benefit 
  Trust                              -            -            -        (0.2)    (0.2)                 -         (0.2) 
 Dividends paid                      -            -            -        (6.8)    (6.8)            (12.5)        (19.3) 
------------------  -----  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -------  ----------------  ------------ 
 Total 
  transactions 
  with owners, 
  recognised 
  directly in 
  equity                5          0.2            -            -        (4.8)    (4.6)            (12.5)        (17.1) 
 At 31 December 
  2015                            12.4        111.0         47.9       (29.1)    142.2              26.3         168.5 
------------------  -----  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -------  ----------------  ------------ 
 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2015

The preliminary announcement for the full year ended 31 December 2015 has been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies as disclosed in Xchanging plc's 2014 Annual Report, as updated to take effect of any new accounting standards applicable for 2015 as set out in Xchanging plc's 2015 Half Year Report.

The annual financial information presented in this preliminary announcement for the year ended 31 December 2015 is based on, and is consistent with, that in the Group's audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2015, and those financial statements will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies following the Company's Annual General Meeting. The independent auditors' report on those financial statements is unqualified and does not contain any statement under section 498 (2) or 498 (3) of the Companies Act 2006. The Group financial statements and this preliminary announcement were approved by the Board of Directors on 25 February 2016.

Information in this preliminary announcement does not constitute statutory accounts of the Group within the meaning of section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. The full financial statements for the Group for the year ended 31 December 2014 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The independent auditor's report on those financial statements was unqualified and did not contain a statement under section 498 (2) or 498 (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

1 SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS

Management has determined the operating segments based on the internal reporting and information presented to and reviewed by the Board (the chief operating decision-maker for the year) on which strategic decisions are based, resources are allocated and performance is assessed.

During 2015, the Board considered the business as follows:

 
 --   Business Processing Services that has two distinct components, 
       Insurance and Financial Services. Insurance Services provides 
       technology infrastructure and managed services for processing 
       policies and premiums as well as handling claims, to the insurance 
       market. It includes the workers' compensation claims processing 
       services business in Australia. Financial Services provides securities 
       processing, investment account administration and fund administration 
       in Germany, Italy and India for financial institutions. 
 --   Technology provides technology infrastructure management services, 
       insurance software and application management services to a range 
       of customers. 
 --   Procurement provides procurement and human resources services 
       to a range of customers. The Procurement segment in the final 
       quarter of the 2015 financial year has been split into two sections 
       for internal reporting; Business Processing Services - Procurement 
       and Technology - Procurement. This change has been in response 
       to the July 2015 interim statements and external shareholder 
       communication. For transparency and in line with the aggregation 
       criteria, the Procurement segment has continued to be shown as 
       a separate segment. For comparative purposes and consistency 
       with management reporting the key performance measure, net revenue 
       has been split for the segment for 2015 by Business Processing 
       Services - Procurement and Technology - Procurement. 
 

Corporate provides the infrastructure, resources and investment to sustain and grow the Group, including performance management, and business management functions. Corporate is not considered an operating segment but its numbers are presented in order to reconcile reportable segment numbers back to the consolidated financial statements.

Management uses net revenue and adjusted operating profit as measures of segment performance. Interest income and expenses are not allocated to sectors, as this type of activity is driven by the Group treasury function, which manages the cash position of the whole Group. Corporate costs reallocated to operating segments include depreciation and amortisation of centrally recognised other intangible assets, lease payments and other costs incurred centrally on behalf of other operating segments.

The Group's reportable segments account for inter segment sales, and transfers, as if the sales or transfers were to third parties, i.e. at current market prices.

The segment information for the year ended 31 December 2015 is as follows:

 
                                                    Subtotal 
                                                    Business 
                        Insurance    Financial    Processing 
                         Services     Services      Services   Technology   Procurement    Corporate    Total 
 Year ended 31 
  December 2015              GBPm         GBPm          GBPm         GBPm          GBPm         GBPm     GBPm 
--------------------  -----------  -----------  ------------  -----------  ------------  -----------  ------- 
 Revenue                    177.1         85.1         262.2        113.6          64.4            -    440.2 
--------------------  -----------  -----------  ------------  -----------  ------------  -----------  ------- 
 Net revenue                177.1         85.1         262.2        113.6          24.7            -    400.5 
--------------------  -----------  -----------  ------------  -----------  ------------  -----------  ------- 
 Adjusted operating 
  profit/(loss)              53.2          7.8          61.0         14.5        (10.9)       (10.0)     54.6 
 Adjusted operating 
  profit margin             30.0%         9.2%         23.3%        12.8%       (44.1%)            -    13.6% 
--------------------  -----------  -----------  ------------  -----------  ------------  -----------  ------- 
 

For future comparability purposes the Procurement segment net revenue of GBP24.7 million will be split post the year end 31 December 2015 with GBP8.1 million, relating to Business Processing Services and GBP16.6 million to Technology.

The segment information for the year ended 31 December 2014 is as follows:

 
                                                    Subtotal 
                                                    Business 
                           Insurance   Financial    Processing 
                            Services    Services     Services    Technology   Procurement   Corporate   Total 
 Year ended 31 December 
  2014                          GBPm        GBPm          GBPm         GBPm          GBPm        GBPm    GBPm 
------------------------  ----------  ----------  ------------  -----------  ------------  ----------  ------ 
 Revenue                       182.7        99.7         282.4         93.1         198.0           -   573.5 
------------------------  ----------  ----------  ------------  -----------  ------------  ----------  ------ 
 Net revenue                   182.7        99.7         282.4         93.1          31.3           -   406.8 
------------------------  ----------  ----------  ------------  -----------  ------------  ----------  ------ 
 Adjusted operating 
  profit/(loss)                 53.3        10.8          64.1          6.8         (2.5)      (12.6)    55.8 
 Adjusted operating 
  profit margin                29.2%       10.8%         22.7%         7.3%        (8.0%)           -   13.7% 
------------------------  ----------  ----------  ------------  -----------  ------------  ----------  ------ 
 

The depreciation and amortisation included in adjusted operating profit is as follows:

 
                                                           Subtotal 
                                                           Business 
                                  Insurance   Financial    Processing 
                                   Services    Services     Services    Technology   Procurement   Corporate   Total 
 Year ended 31 December 
  2015                                 GBPm        GBPm          GBPm         GBPm          GBPm        GBPm    GBPm 
-------------------------------  ----------  ----------  ------------  -----------  ------------  ----------  ------ 
 Depreciation and amortisation 
  2015                                  6.4         3.6          10.0         11.8           3.3         0.1    25.2 
 Depreciation and amortisation 
  2014                                  2.8         5.1           7.9          8.2           2.8         1.5    20.4 
-------------------------------  ----------  ----------  ------------  -----------  ------------  ----------  ------ 
 

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Reconciliation of non-GAAP adjusted operating profit to IFRS statutory operating (loss)/profit:

 
                                                                2015      2014 
                                                                GBPm      GBPm 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  -------- 
 Adjusted operating profit                                      54.6      55.8 
 Adjusting items: 
 Amortisation of intangible assets previously unrecognised 
  by an acquired entity (all recognised in gross profit)       (6.5)     (6.1) 
 Acquisition-related expenses (1)                             (12.6)     (6.0) 
 Exceptional items                                            (74.0)     (7.1) 
 Operating (loss)/profit                                      (38.5)    36.6 
 Net finance costs                                             (7.5)   (4.3) 
 Share of profit from joint venture                            (0.2)     0.2 
 Taxation                                                      (6.5)   (3.1) 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------ 
 (Loss)/profit for the year                                   (52.7)    29.4 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------ 
 
   1.     Acquisition-related expenses refer to note 15. 

The tables below present revenue from continuing operations by the geographical location of customers and by category:

 
                                       2015    2014 
 Revenue by geographical location      GBPm    GBPm 
----------------------------------   ------  ------ 
 United Kingdom                       254.4   387.6 
 Germany                               52.4    53.7 
 United States of America              44.4    32.1 
 Australia                             28.3    37.6 
 Other Continental Europe              22.2    20.7 
 Italy                                 19.8    23.4 
 South East Asia                       10.4     8.0 
 Rest of world                          6.6     7.7 
 India                                  1.7     2.7 
-----------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 Revenue                              440.2   573.5 
-----------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 
 
                                             2015    2014 
 Analysis of revenue by category             GBPm    GBPm 
----------------------------------------   ------  ------ 
 Revenue from services                      407.1   547.1 
 Sale of goods                               11.8    18.2 
 Revenue from sale of software licences      21.3     8.2 
 Revenue                                    440.2   573.5 
-----------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 

Material customers

No one customer accounted for greater than ten per cent of the Group's gross revenues for the year ended 31 December 2015. In the year end 31 December 2014 revenues of GBP168.3 million, attributable to the Procurement segment, were derived from one customer. It was the revenue derived and costs incurred from this single customer that contributed to the higher 2014 revenue and cost of sales balances seen above.

No customers accounted for greater than ten per cent of the Group's net revenues.

Information about product/service

The information to report revenue by individual product/service was not available for this period, although the group has invested in new finance systems which will enable such reporting in the future.

2 EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS

 
                                                                                       2015     2014 
                                                                                       GBPm     GBPm 
 Exceptional (cost)/income items comprise the following: 
 Impairment of Procurement goodwill                                                  (59.3)        - 
 Procurement asset impairments                                                        (5.6)        - 
 Restructuring costs ('Split and Fix' in 2015, Group wide restructuring in 2014)      (4.0)   (10.3) 
 Procurement onerous contract provision                                               (2.9)        - 
 Procurement customer contract asset impairment                                       (2.4)        - 
 Other intangibles asset impairments                                                  (2.9)        - 
 New South Wales workers' compensation contract                                         0.4    (7.1) 
 Lease surrender receipt and related items                                                -      9.7 
 Pension curtailment                                                                    2.7        - 
 Insolvency trustee distribution                                                          -      0.6 
 Total exceptional items                                                             (74.0)    (7.1) 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 
 Included within: 
 - Gross profit                                                                      (17.4)   (17.4) 
 - Administrative expenses                                                           (59.3)        - 
 - Other income                                                                         2.7     10.3 
                                                                                     (74.0)    (7.1) 
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 

Exceptional items are those items that in the Directors' view are required to be separately disclosed by virtue of their size or incidence and in order to improve a reader's understanding of the financial statements. These may include items relating to the restructuring of a significant part of the Group, impairment charges, items relating to acquisitions and disposals, and other one-off events or transactions. The tax impact of the total exceptional cost is a credit of GBP3.1 million (2014: credit GBP2.6 million).

For 2015, the Procurement sector exceptional items of GBP74.2 million are:

 
 --   Impairment of the Procurement sector goodwill of GBP59.3 
       million (refer to note 6). 
 --   Procurement asset impairments GBP5.6 million. This is for 
       the MM4 software of GBP2.3 million, Logia GBP1.4 million, 
       Vault GBP0.6 million and GBP1.3 million of assets associated 
       with the onerous contract recognised at the half year (see 
       below). 
 --   Restructuring costs of GBP4.0 million incurred across the 
       Group for 'Split and Fix'. GBP1.9 million was specifically 
       recognised with regards to the French operations which are 
       in the process of being terminated. 
 --   Procurement onerous contracts provision of GBP2.9 million. 
       This relates to two specific contracts within the Procurement 
       sector, one of which was provided for at the half year 2015. 
       This expense is shown net of termination benefits received 
       of GBP1.4 million in respect of the second contract. 
 --   Procurement customer contract asset impairments of GBP2.4 
       million (refer to note 7) in relation to the MM4 business. 
 

Exceptional items non-Procurement sector of GBP(0.2) million are:

 
 --   Impairment of the Netsett asset of GBP2.9 million (refer 
       to note 7). 
 --   GBP0.4 million reversal of the New South Wales workers' compensation 
       onerous contract provision (refer to note 14). 
 --   The London Processing Centre Ltd Retirement & Death Benefits 
       Scheme (the 'LPC Scheme'), effective from 28 February 2015 
       and Xchanging Defined Benefit Scheme, effective from 31 December 
       2015 was closed to future accrual, resulting in a net curtailment 
       income of GBP2.7 million. 
 

3 TAXATION

The tax expense for the period comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in the income statement, except to the extent that it relates to items recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity. In this case, the associated tax is also recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, respectively.

The current income tax charge is calculated on the basis of the tax laws enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date in the countries where the Company and its subsidiaries operate and generate taxable income.

Deferred income tax is recognised, using the liability method, on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the consolidated financial statements. It is also recognised on temporary differences arising in subsidiaries. However, deferred tax is not recognised when:

 
 --   It relates to the initial recognition of goodwill. 
 --   It relates to the initial recognition of an asset or liability 
       in a transaction other than a business combination that at 
       the time of the transaction affects neither accounting nor 
       taxable profit or loss. 
 --   It relates to a deferred income tax liability where the timing 
       of the reversal of the temporary difference is controlled 
       by the Group and it is probable that the temporary difference 
       will not reverse in the foreseeable future. 
 --   It is not probable that future taxable profit will be available 
       against which the temporary differences can be utilised. 
 

Deferred income tax is determined using tax rates (and laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date and are expected to apply when the related deferred income tax asset is realised or the deferred income tax liability is settled.

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets against current tax liabilities and when the deferred income tax assets and liabilities relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority on either the same taxable entity or different taxable entities where there is an intention to settle the balances on a net basis.

Income tax

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The major components of income tax expense for the years ended 31 December 2015 and 2014:

 
                                                          2015    2014 
 Consolidated income statement                            GBPm    GBPm 
------------------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 Current tax: 
 - Current tax on profits for the year                    10.5     7.5 
 - Adjustment in respect of prior years                    0.3   (0.7) 
------------------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 Total current tax                                        10.8     6.8 
 Deferred tax: 
 - Origination and reversal of temporary differences 
  for the year                                           (4.9)   (3.5) 
 - Adjustment in respect of prior years                  (0.8)   (0.2) 
 - Impact of the change in the UK tax rate                 1.4       - 
------------------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 Total deferred tax                                      (4.3)   (3.7) 
------------------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 Tax charge for the year                                   6.5     3.1 
------------------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 
 
                                                          2015    2014 
 Consolidated statement of comprehensive income           GBPm    GBPm 
------------------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 Current tax movement in relation to actuarial losses 
  on defined benefit plans                                 0.2     0.3 
 Deferred tax movement in relation to actuarial 
  (gains)/losses on defined benefit plans                (0.8)     4.0 
                                                         (0.6)     4.3 
------------------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 
                                                          2015    2014 
 Consolidated statement of changes in equity              GBPm    GBPm 
------------------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 Deferred tax movement in relation to share-based 
  payments                                                   -   (0.2) 
------------------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 

Factors affecting the tax charge for the year

The statutory tax charge for the year is higher (2014: lower) than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK. The standard rate of corporation tax in the UK changed from 21% to 20% with effect from 1 April 2015. Accordingly, the Group's profits for this accounting period are taxed at a blended rate of 20.25% (2014: 21.50%). The differences are explained below:

 
                                                          2015    2014 
                                                          GBPm    GBPm 
-----------------------------------------------------  -------  ------ 
 (Loss)/profit before taxation                          (46.2)    32.5 
-----------------------------------------------------  -------  ------ 
 (Loss)/profit before tax multiplied by the standard 
  rate of corporation tax in the UK of 20.25% (2014: 
  21.5%)                                                 (9.4)     7.0 
 Changes in tax rates                                      1.4       - 
 Items not deductible for tax purposes                    14.8     1.5 
 Unutilised tax losses in current year                     0.3     0.1 
 Temporary differences not previously recognised             -   (0.7) 
 Adjustments for tax in respect of prior years           (0.5)   (0.9) 
 Non-taxable income                                      (0.9)   (1.1) 
 Brought forward losses not previously recognised        (0.1)   (3.0) 
 Difference on foreign tax rates                           0.9     0.2 
 Tax charge for the year reported in the income 
  statement                                                6.5     3.1 
-----------------------------------------------------  -------  ------ 
 

Deferred tax

The Finance (No 2) Act 2015, that was substantively enacted on 18 November 2015, reduced the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK from 20% to 19% with effect from 1 April 2017 and then from 19% to 18% with effect from 1 April 2020. Accordingly deferred tax is calculated in full on temporary differences under the liability method using the tax rate arising when the temporary difference is expected to reverse in the UK and at the relevant local statutory rates for differences arising in other countries.

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are attributable to the following items:

 
                                    Consolidated balance     Consolidated income 
                                            sheet                 statement 
                                         2015        2014        2015        2014 
                                         GBPm        GBPm        GBPm        GBPm 
--------------------------------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 Deferred tax assets 
 Retirement benefit obligation           11.3        13.3       (1.2)       (0.4) 
 Tax losses                              10.0         7.3         3.2         2.7 
 Decelerated tax depreciation             4.0         4.2       (0.1)           - 
 Share-based payments                     1.5         1.6       (0.1)         0.1 
 Other                                    9.1         9.5         2.5         1.3 
 Total deferred tax assets               35.9        35.9 
--------------------------------  -----------  ---------- 
 Recoverable within 1 year               10.6         9.2 
 Recoverable after more 
  than 1 year                            25.3        26.7 
--------------------------------  -----------  ---------- 
                                         35.9        35.9 
--------------------------------  -----------  ---------- 
 Deferred tax liabilities 
 Accelerated tax depreciation           (0.1)       (0.1) 
 Other(1)                              (13.9)      (17.4) 
--------------------------------  -----------  ---------- 
 Total deferred tax liabilities        (14.0)      (17.5) 
--------------------------------  -----------  ---------- 
 Arising within 1 year                  (5.7)       (7.4) 
 Arising after more than 
  1 year                                (8.3)      (10.1) 
--------------------------------  -----------  ---------- 
                                       (14.0)      (17.5) 
--------------------------------  -----------  ---------- 
 Net deferred tax asset                  21.9        18.4 
--------------------------------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 Net credit to tax expense                                        4.3         3.7 
--------------------------------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 

1. Included within other is deferred tax on amortisation of intangible assets and other miscellaneous items.

Tax losses arising in the current and previous years from continuing operations, total an estimated carried forward amount of GBP52.9 million in the USA (2014: GBP46.8 million), GBP12.6 million in Italy (2014: GBP15.0 million), GBP8.6 million in the UK (2014: GBP0.9 million) and GBP8.3 million in other tax jurisdictions (2014: GBP5.0 million). USA losses expire 20 years from the year in which they arise. Losses arising in Italy and the UK can be carried forward indefinitely. The principal deferred tax assets recognised for losses are GBP5.0 million (2014: GBP3.0 million) in respect of the USA, GBP3.2 million (2014: GBP4.1 million) in respect of Italy and GBP1.7 million (2014 GBP0.2 million) in respect of the UK. The Group has not recognised deferred tax assets of GBP16.0 million (2014: GBP14.7 million) that principally arise on losses in certain businesses in the USA. The utilisation of these losses will be reviewed in line with future tax planning opportunities on an ongoing basis.

4 EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit attributable to owners of the parent by the weighted average number of ordinary shares of the Company.

For diluted earnings per share, the weighted average number of ordinary shares in existence is adjusted to include all potential dilutive ordinary shares. The Group has three types of potential dilutive ordinary shares: share options, share awards under the Performance Share Plan and other share awards.

 
                                                                                                             Statutory 
                      Weighted average                       Adjusted earnings           Statutory        earnings per 
                      number of shares   Adjusted earnings           per share            earnings               share 
                             thousands                GBPm               pence                GBPm               pence 
-------------------  -----------------  ------------------  ------------------  ------------------  ------------------ 
 Basic earnings per 
 share: 
  - 31 December 
   2015                        247,010                21.0                8.49              (68.1)             (27.55) 
  - 31 December 
   2014                        243,482                28.9               11.86                16.1                6.62 
 Diluted earnings 
 per share: 
  - 31 December 
   2015                        247,010                21.0                8.49              (68.1)             (27.55) 
  - 31 December 
   2014                        247,155                28.9               11.69                16.1                6.52 
-------------------  -----------------  ------------------  ------------------  ------------------  ------------------ 
 

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

 
                                                                                    2015        2014 
                                                                               Thousands   Thousands 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------   ----------  ---------- 
 Weighted average number of ordinary shares for basic earnings per share         247,010     243,482 
 Dilutive potential ordinary shares: 
  - Employee share options                                                             -         304 
  - Awards under the Performance Share Plan                                            -       3,336 
 - Share awards                                                                        -          33 
 Weighted average number of ordinary shares for diluted earnings per share       247,010     247,155 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------  ----------  ---------- 
 

The share awards during the year have not diluted the weighted average number of ordinary shares for diluted earnings per share.

Adjusted basic and diluted earnings per share

Adjusted earnings per share values are disclosed to provide a better understanding of the underlying trading performance of the Group. The adjusted value is in line with the KPIs as used to measure the Group's performance in 2015.

The adjusted earnings per share figures are calculated based on the Company's share of adjusted profit for the year, divided by the basic and diluted weighted average number of shares as stated above.

The owners of the parent's share of adjusted profit for the year is calculated as follows:

 
                                                                                      2015    2014 
                                                                                      GBPm    GBPm 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------ 
 Profit for the year net of tax attributable to owners of the parent                (68.1)    16.1 
 Exceptional items                                                                    74.0     7.1 
 Acquisition-related expenses                                                         12.6     6.0 
 Amortisation of intangible assets previously unrecognised by an acquired entity       6.5     6.1 
 Imputed interest and fair value adjustments on put options                              -   (0.6) 
 Non-controlling interests' share of adjustments                                       1.1   (1.3) 
 Tax on adjusting items                                                              (5.1)   (4.5) 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------ 
 Adjusted profit for the year net of tax attributable to owners of the parent         21.0    28.9 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------ 
 

5 DIVIDENDS PAYABLE

Dividend distributions to the Company's shareholders are recognised as a liability in the Group's financial statements in the period in which the dividends are approved by the Company's shareholders.

No dividend has been declared for the year ended 31 December 2015. A dividend of 2.75 pence per share in respect of the year ended 31 December 2014, amounting to a total dividend of GBP6,804,085, was paid on 22 May 2015 and is recorded in these financial statements.

6 GOODWILL

Goodwill arises from the purchase of subsidiary undertakings and represents the excess of the fair value of the consideration paid over the fair value of the Group's interest in net identifiable assets of the acquiree and the fair value of the non-controlling interest in the acquiree. After initial recognition, goodwill is stated at cost less any accumulated impairment losses.

Goodwill is allocated to the Group's cash generating units ('CGUs') being the lowest level at which assets generate separately identifiable cash inflows independent of the cash inflows of other assets or groups of assets.

Goodwill impairment reviews are undertaken annually or, more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate a potential impairment. The carrying value of goodwill is compared to the recoverable amount, which is the higher of value-in-use and the fair value less costs to sell. Any impairment would be recognised immediately as an expense and would not be subsequently reversed.

 
                         Note    2015    2014 
                                 GBPm    GBPm 
----------------------  -----  ------  ------ 
 Cost 
 At 1 January                   310.2   269.2 
 Business combination     15      5.4    38.4 
 Exchange adjustments           (0.4)     2.6 
----------------------  -----  ------  ------ 
 At 31 December                 315.2   310.2 
----------------------  -----  ------  ------ 
 
 
 
 Aggregate impairment 
 At 1 January                (100.8)    (98.6) 
 Impairment charge(1)    2    (59.3)         - 
 Exchange adjustments            0.4     (2.2) 
----------------------      --------  -------- 
 At 31 December              (159.7)   (100.8) 
 
 Net book amount 
 At 31 December                155.5     209.4 
----------------------      --------  -------- 
 

1. The impairment charge of GBP59.3 million is recognised in the income statement within adjusting administrative expenses.

An analysis of goodwill and adjusted operating profit by operating segment is as follows:

 
                                                          Goodwill                               Adjusted operating 
                                                                                                        profit 
-------------  ------  ------------  -----------------------------  ------  ----------  ------  -------------------- 
                                                                Impairment     Foreign 
                           Business                                 charge    currency 
                 2014   combination   Disposal/reallocation                  movements    2015       2015       2014 
                 GBPm          GBPm                    GBPm                       GBPm    GBPm       GBPm       GBPm 
-------------  ------  ------------  ----------------------  -------------  ----------  ------  ---------  --------- 
 Insurance 
  Services       36.1             -                       -              -       (0.1)    36.0       53.2       53.3 
 Financial 
  Services       40.1             -                       -              -       (1.5)    38.6        7.8       10.8 
               ------  ------------  ----------------------  -------------  ----------  ------  ---------  --------- 
 Business 
  Processing 
  Services       76.2             -                  -                   -       (1.6)    74.6       61.0       64.1 
 Technology      79.1           0.8                       -              -         1.0    80.9       14.5        6.8 
 Procurement     54.1           4.6                       -         (59.3)         0.6       -     (10.9)      (2.5) 
-------------  ------  ------------  ----------------------  -------------  ----------  ------  ---------  --------- 
                209.4           5.4                       -         (59.3)           -   155.5       64.6       68.4 
-------------  ------  ------------  ----------------------  -------------  ----------  ------  ---------  --------- 
 
 

Impairment testing of goodwill

The key assumptions applied in the impairment testing of goodwill as at 31 December 2015 are set out in the table below. All margins are calculated using net revenue and adjusted operating profit.

 
                                           Weighted average                           Extrapolated 
                       Operating margin              margin    Operating margin      future growth    Pre-tax discount 
                                  range                             growth rate               rate                rate 
-------------------  ------------------  ------------------  ------------------  -----------------  ------------------ 
 Insurance Services             30%-33%                 32%                  2%                 1%                 15% 
 Financial Services               6%-9%                  8%                (3%)                 1%                 14% 
 Technology                     13%-14%                 14%                  2%                 1%                 13% 
-------------------  ------------------  ------------------  ------------------  -----------------  ------------------ 
 

The assumptions used in the Procurement value-in-use calculations gave an operating margin loss of 11%-44%, and hence a negative value-in-use for the sector resulting in the full carrying value of the Procurement sector goodwill being impaired.

The recoverable amounts of all CGUs have been determined based on value-in-use calculations using pre-tax cash flow projections based on budgets approved by the management of the CGU and the Board. The budgets cover a one year period, as well as cash flows for years two, three and four using management's expectations of sales growth, operating costs, adjusted operating profit and margin based on past experience, and expectations regarding future performance and profitability for each individual CGU. Financial Services value-in-use calculation has been prepared based on budgets covering a two year period as well as cash flows for years three and four using management's expectations as above due to the ongoing projects within the sector.

A terminal value has been calculated using a nil growth rate assumption for all CGUs.

Sensitivity analysis

The carrying value of goodwill is most sensitive to changes in average growth rates as described below.

Insurance Services

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This sector is consistently profitable and cash generative. It is considered unlikely that there could be reasonable changes to key assumptions sufficient to give rise to an impairment at an individual CGU level.

Financial Services

The acquisition of AGI's holding in Fondsdepot Bank during 2014 has reduced some risk within FdB. Additionally the current digitalisation project and restructuring of the business has positively impacted the future cash flows within the model. Albeit, there is a lag between recognising the costs of these projects and realising the benefits and hence the initial negative growth of the operating margin shown in the table above.

The performance of Xchanging Italy has remained level during 2015, following the successful merger of Kedrios and AR Enterprise S.r.l. in 2013, and the realisation of synergies within the combined business.

Sensitivities have been performed in conjunction with the sales targets and cost reduction set out within the 2016 budget business plan, should these not be reached sufficient headroom would remain.

Technology

The acquisition of the businesses acquired from Agencyport and Total Objects Ltd during 2014 has increased the customer base and product offering of the insurance software business. A number of new Xuber contracts were secured during the year and further new contracts are in the pipeline for 2016. It is considered unlikely that there could be reasonable changes to key assumptions sufficient to give rise to an impairment.

Procurement

The weak performance of the traditional outsourcing business combined with underperformance of a number of procurement contracts lead to an impairment charge of GBP59.3 million being recognised during the period for the Procurement CGU.

7 OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Research and development

Research expenditure is expensed as incurred. Development expenditure is capitalised when it can be reliably measured, technically feasible, the resources are available to complete the project, there is an ability to use or sell the asset and the future economic benefits are expected.

Assets in the course of development are not amortised until they are ready to be used or sold. These assets relate to software being developed by the Group.

Development costs represent the cost of process and system designs that substantially improved the business. Once capitalised these assets are amortised and assessed for impairment in accordance with IAS 38 'Intangible Assets'.

Software costs and contractual customer relationships

Software assets acquired as part of a business combination are fair valued on acquisition in accordance with IFRS 3, 'Business Combinations' then subsequently amortised in accordance with IAS 38 'Intangible Assets'. Contractual customer relationships are capitalised on acquisition where they meet the criteria for recognition under IFRS 3, 'Business Combinations', and IAS 38 'Intangible Assets'.

Amortisation is calculated so as to write off the cost of the assets, less their estimated residual values, on a straight-line basis over the expected useful economic lives of the assets concerned. Amortisation is calculated over the following periods:

 
 Software                             3 to 7 years 
 Development costs                    5 years or over the life of the 
                                       related contract 
 Customer contractual relationships   5 to 10 years 
 
 
                                                                Software 
                                              Customer         assets in 
                                           contractual        the course   Development 
                             Software    relationships    of development         costs    Total 
--------------------------  ---------  ---------------  ----------------  ------------  ------- 
                                 GBPm             GBPm              GBPm          GBPm     GBPm 
 Cost 
 At 1 January 2014               61.1             37.1               1.5          14.3    114.0 
 Business combination 
  (note 15)                      15.6             37.0                 -             -     52.6 
 Additions - internal             6.8                -              14.3             -     21.1 
 Additions - external             8.9                -               6.8             -     15.7 
 Transfers from property, 
  plant and equipment               -                -               2.1             -      2.1 
 Transfer to / (from) 
  assets in the course 
  of development                  1.5                -             (1.5)             -        - 
 Disposals/write-offs           (3.3)                -             (4.1)             -    (7.4) 
 Exchange adjustments           (1.8)            (1.0)             (0.1)             -    (2.9) 
--------------------------  ---------  ---------------  ----------------  ------------  ------- 
 At 31 December 2014             88.8             73.1              19.0          14.3    195.2 
 Business combination 
  (note 15)                         -                -                 -             -        - 
 Additions - internal             6.2                -               6.4             -     12.6 
 Additions - external             3.0                -              17.4             -     20.4 
 Transfer to/(from) 
  assets in the course 
  of development                  1.6                -             (1.6)             -        - 
 Disposals/write-offs          (12.7)                -                 -             -   (12.7) 
 Exchange adjustments           (1.6)            (1.2)                 -             -    (2.8) 
 At 31 December 2015             85.3             71.9              41.2          14.3    212.7 
--------------------------  ---------  ---------------  ----------------  ------------  ------- 
 Accumulated amortisation 
 At 1 January 2014               24.3             20.0                 -          13.7     58.0 
 Charge for the year             12.9              6.1                 -           0.2     19.2 
 Disposals/write-offs           (3.1)                -                 -             -    (3.1) 
 Exchange adjustments           (1.4)            (0.5)                 -             -    (1.9) 
--------------------------  ---------  ---------------  ----------------  ------------  ------- 
 At 31 December 2014             32.7             25.6                 -          13.9     72.2 
 Charge for the year             17.2              6.5                 -           0.2     23.9 
 Impairment charge 
  for the year                    8.5              2.4                 -             -     10.9 
 Disposals/write-offs          (12.7)                -                 -             -   (12.7) 
 Exchange adjustments           (2.3)            (0.7)                 -             -    (3.0) 
--------------------------  ---------  ---------------  ----------------  ------------  ------- 
 At 31 December 2015             43.4             33.8                 -          14.1     91.3 
--------------------------  ---------  ---------------  ----------------  ------------  ------- 
 
 Net book amount 
 At 1 January 2014               36.8             17.1               1.5           0.6     56.0 
 At 31 December 2014             56.1             47.5              19.0           0.4    123.0 
--------------------------  ---------  ---------------  ----------------  ------------  ------- 
 At 31 December 2015             41.9             38.1              41.2           0.2    121.4 
--------------------------  ---------  ---------------  ----------------  ------------  ------- 
 

Amortisation expense of GBP23.9 million (2014: GBP19.2 million) has been charged through gross profit and GBPnil (2014: GBPnil) through administrative expenses.

In 2015, all of the customer contractual relationship amortisation charge of GBP6.5 million (2014: GBP6.1 million) relates to assets previously unrecognised by an acquired entity.

Significant individual assets, which are included in the balances above, are as follows:

Intangible assets impaired during the year

 
 --   During the year the assets relating to the Procurement business 
       were assessed for impairment given the Procurement goodwill 
       write-off and the 'Split and Fix' restructuring plan. As 
       a result of this assessment GBP5.6 million of Procurement 
       assets were impaired as they were no longer needed to support 
       the Procurement business. This is for the MM4 software of 
       GBP2.3 million, the Logia IT platform of GBP1.4 million, 
       the Vault IT platform of GBP0.6 million and GBP1.3 million 
       of assets associated with the onerous contract recognised 
       at the half year. 
 --   GBP2.4 million of MM4 customer contracts assets were impaired 
       during the year due to the business not achieving the levels 
       of growth expected. 
 --   Netsett is the Group's internally generated, global (re)insurance 
       and accounting net settlement service. It is a netting and 
       settlement solution designed to deliver operational efficiency, 
       transparency, and capital efficiency benefits to participants 
       through the implementation of a centralised, multi-lateral, 
       multi-currency engine platform for premium and claims flows 
       within and between global cedents, brokers and carriers. 
       The asset was completed in 2014 and has a carrying amount 
       as at 31 December 2015 of GBP2.9 million (2014: GBP4.0 million). 
       Impairment testing has been performed and a conclusion was 
       reached to impair the remaining book value, GBP2.9 million. 
       This assessment was reached because, despite the potential 
       for the service to be a significant revenue generator in 
       the long term, there is insufficient certainty of the timing 
       and quantum of cash inflows at present. 
 

Software

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The significant software assets have been described below:

 
 --   Xuber Enterprise Suite is the Group's global insurance application 
       platform, and provides support for the full insurance cycle 
       including quotation, claim notification as well as payment 
       and settlement. The asset has a carrying amount as at 31 
       December 2015 of GBP22.7 million (2014: GBP24.0 million) 
       and is made up of several components. Components are amortised 
       over five years after they are complete. 
 --   Insurance software acquired with the businesses acquired 
       from Agencyport relating to the 'OPENSuite' of products. 
       The asset has a carrying amount as at 31 December 2015 of 
       GBP11.5 million, and is being amortised to 2020. 
 --   Insurance software acquired with Total Objects which provides 
       services to Insurance brokers, Reinsurers and managing general 
       agents. The asset has a carrying amount as at 31 December 
       2015 of GBP2.2 million, and is being amortised to 2021. 
 --   Funds administration processing platforms, including costs 
       of migration of new customers on to the platform. The asset 
       has a carrying amount as at 31 December 2015 of GBP6.1 million 
       (2014: GBP1.3 million), and is made up of several components 
       being amortised up to 2019. 
 --   IT platform and software acquired with AR relates to a comprehensive 
       information technology (IT) solution for the securities brokerage 
       and asset management industry in Italy. The asset has a carrying 
       amount as at 31 December 2015 of GBP1.1 million (2014: GBP2.0 
       million), and is being amortised to 2017. 
 --   Workday is the Group's new HR system that supports HR services 
       including payroll processes, talent and performance management, 
       and organisational changes. The asset has a carrying value 
       as at 31 December 2015 of GBP3.3 million (2014: GBP3.9 million), 
       and is being amortised to 2019. 
 --   The Finance Transformation Programme ('FTP') delivers a common 
       SAP platform, a common set of finance business processes, 
       within a common organisation structure aligned with the new 
       global finance shared service model. The asset has a carrying 
       value as at 31 December 2015 of GBP9.2 million, and will 
       be amortised over a 5 year period from the date it is brought 
       into use (January 2016). 
 --   Within the Insurance sector there is a new software in development 
       to enable the XIS bureau to process messages under the ACCORD 
       global standard for Insurance premium messages, as part of 
       the London Insurance Market's Central Services Refresh Programme 
       ('CSRP'). This asset has a carrying amount at 31 December 
       2015 of GBP8.1 million. 
 --   The Insurance Market Repository (IMR) software under construction 
       is an investment in replacing, upgrading and introducing 
       new IT applications and infrastructure. This is part of the 
       group's Platform Refresh Programme. This asset has a carrying 
       amount at 31 December 2015 of GBP6.1 million. 
 

Customer contractual relationships

 
 --   Contractual relationships acquired as part of the acquisition 
       of the businesses acquired from Agencyport. These assets 
       have a carrying amount at 31 December 2015 of GBP27.3 million 
       (2014: GBP30.5 million) and are being amortised to 2023. 
 --   Contractual relationships acquired as part of the acquisition 
       of Total Objects. These assets have a carrying amount at 
       31 December 2015 of GBP3.0 million (2014: GBP3.8 million) 
       and are being amortised to 2019. 
 --   Open architecture customer contracts relating to investment 
       fund administration. The asset has a carrying amount as at 
       31 December 2015 of GBP3.6 million (2014: GBP4.8 million) 
       and are being amortised to 2019. 
 --   Brokerage and Asset management customers acquired as part 
       of the acquisition of AR Enterprise in 2012. These assets 
       have a carrying amount of GBP4.2 million as at 31 December 
       2015 (2014: GBP5.1 million) and are being amortised to 2022. 
 

8 OTHER FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

 
                                                   2015   2014 
                                                   GBPm   GBPm 
-----------------------------------------------   -----  ----- 
 Current other financial liabilities 
 Deferred consideration                             6.0    3.2 
 Derivative cash flow hedge                         1.0      - 
 Total current other financial liabilities          7.0    3.2 
------------------------------------------------  -----  ----- 
 
 Non-current other financial liabilities 
 Deferred consideration                               -    0.7 
 Total non-current other financial liabilities        -    0.7 
------------------------------------------------  -----  ----- 
 

The carrying amounts of the Group's other financial liabilities are denominated in the following currencies:

 
                2015   2014 
                GBPm   GBPm 
------------   -----  ----- 
 Sterling        3.8    1.5 
 US Dollars      2.4      - 
 Euros           0.8    2.4 
                 7.0    3.9 
 ------------  -----  ----- 
 

Deferred consideration

 
                                              2015   2014 
                                              GBPm   GBPm 
------------------------------------------   -----  ----- 
 Current deferred consideration 
 Total Objects                                 3.8    0.8 
 Spikes Cavell                                 1.2      - 
 MM4                                           0.9      - 
 AR Enterprises S.r.l.                         0.1    2.4 
 Total current deferred consideration          6.0    3.2 
-------------------------------------------  -----  ----- 
 
 Non-current deferred consideration 
 Total Objects Ltd                               -    0.7 
 Total non-current deferred consideration        -    0.7 
-------------------------------------------  -----  ----- 
 

The outstanding balances comprise fixed deferred consideration and contingent deferred consideration. Contingent deferred consideration is treated as post-acquisition remuneration and has been included in this table for completeness.

9 BORROWINGS

 
                                                 2015    2014 
                                                 GBPm    GBPm 
--------------------------------------------   ------  ------ 
 Current borrowings 
 Presented in current assets: 
  - Unamortised loan fees                       (0.8)   (0.6) 
 Presented in current liabilities: 
  - Finance lease liabilities                     0.1     0.2 
 Total current borrowings                       (0.7)   (0.4) 
---------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 
 Non-current borrowings 
 Bank loans and revolving credit facilities     155.0   115.0 
 Unamortised loan fees                          (1.2)   (1.5) 
 Finance lease liabilities                        0.2     0.3 
---------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 Total non-current borrowings                   154.0   113.8 
---------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 

The carrying amounts of the Group's borrowings are denominated in the following currencies:

 
                    2015    2014 
                    GBPm    GBPm 
---------------   ------  ------ 
 Sterling          153.0   113.1 
 Indian Rupees       0.3     0.3 
                   153.3   113.4 
 ---------------  ------  ------ 
 

Bank loans and revolving credit facilities

The Group maintains committed credit facilities to ensure that it has sufficient liquidity to maintain its ongoing operations. The Group sources its debt funding in the UK through a revolving credit facility that is provided by a syndicate of banks.

In 2015 the Group increased the aggregate size of its revolving credit facility by GBP25.0 million to GBP190.0 million. The margin payable on funds drawn under the facility is set at a range between 200 and 350 basis points depending on the prevailing leverage ratio. Security is provided in the form of a subsidiary cross guarantee arrangement and the facility is subject to leverage and interest cover financial covenants. It also contains representations and warranties commonly associated with corporate bank debt.

GBP155.0 million was drawn as cash under the facility as at 31 December 2015 (2014: GBP115.0) and a further GBP0.8 million (2014: GBP0.8 million) was utilised through guarantees. At the year end date the Group had GBP34.2 million (2014: GBP49.2 million) of committed headroom available.

In addition to this facility, a working capital facility of INR330.0 million (GBP3.4 million) is provided to Xchanging Technology Services India Private Limited ('XTSI'), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Group. The facility is secured by way of a charge on the current assets of XTSI and is subject to a corporate guarantee. The working capital facility is uncommitted and renewed on an annual basis. As at 31 December 2015, the cash amount drawn under the facility was GBPnil (2014: GBPnil).

The Group has a GBP10.0 million (2014: GBP10.0 million) uncommitted overdraft facility linked to its UK notional cash pooling arrangement.

The Group has the following undrawn committed and uncommitted borrowing facilities available:

 
                                                2015    2014 
                                                GBPm    GBPm 
--------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 Expiring within one year                       13.2    13.1 
 Expiring later than two years but not more 
  than five years                               34.2    51.1 
--------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
                                                47.4    64.2 
--------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 

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The fair value of the Group's debt is assumed to be equal to its carrying value as all drawn debt is subject to floating rate interest.

Finance leases

The finance leases held by the Group relate to leased assets including computer equipment and other items classified as fixtures and fittings.

The gross finance lease obligation and present value of finance lease liabilities are as follows:

 
                                                    2015   2014 
                                                    GBPm   GBPm 
 ------------------------------------------------  -----  ----- 
 Expiring within one year                            0.1    0.2 
 Expiring later than one year but not more than 
 five years                                          0.2    0.3 
 Gross finance lease obligation                      0.3    0.5 
 Present value of future finance leases              0.3    0.5 
-------------------------------------------------  -----  ----- 
 

10 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, demand deposits, short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to cash and are subject to minimal risk of changes in value.

 
                                                                   2015    2014 
                                                                   GBPm    GBPm 
--------------------------------------------------------------   ------  ------ 
 Cash at bank and in hand - held in Enterprise Partnerships        18.7    23.5 
 Cash at bank and in hand - held in Xchanging Solutions             5.4     2.8 
 Cash at bank and in hand - held in wholly owned subsidiaries      80.0    89.8 
---------------------------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 Cash at bank and in hand                                         104.1   116.1 
 Short-term deposits - held in Enterprise Partnerships              0.8     5.1 
 Short-term deposits - held in Xchanging Solutions                  5.9     5.0 
 Short-term deposits - held in wholly owned subsidiaries           16.7     3.0 
---------------------------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 Cash and cash equivalents                                        127.5   129.2 
---------------------------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 

Xchanging receives cash from Enterprise Partnerships through contractual licence fees and dividends. At 31 December 2015 a total of GBP6.2 million (2014: GBP6.5 million) was due from Enterprise Partnerships to Xchanging as accrued but unpaid licence fees. Enterprise Partnerships operate a 100% profit distribution policy and GBP15.2 million (2014: GBP13.2 million) of profit earned in 2015 will be distributed to Xchanging in 2016.

Included in the cash balance held by wholly owned subsidiaries are GBP33.0 million (2014: GBP34.5 million) of customer cash deposits held at Fondsdepot Bank. An equal customer cash accounts liability is recognised on the balance sheet.

GBP0.4 million (2014: GBP0.3 million) of the Group's cash is held as collateral against various bank guarantees.

The fair values of short-term loan deposits with a maturity of less than one year are assumed to approximate to their book values.

11 NET CASH

The consolidated movement in net cash for the year is:

 
                                                             2015      2014 
                                                             GBPm      GBPm 
--------------------------------------------------------  -------  -------- 
 Increase in cash and cash equivalents in the 
  year                                                        1.7      11.7 
 Movement in bank loans and revolving credit facilities    (40.0)   (115.0) 
 Movement on finance lease liabilities and other 
  debt                                                        0.2       0.7 
 Change in net cash resulting from cash flows              (38.1)   (102.6) 
 Exchange movements                                         (3.4)     (3.8) 
--------------------------------------------------------  -------  -------- 
 Movement in net cash in the year                          (41.5)   (106.4) 
--------------------------------------------------------  -------  -------- 
 Net cash at the beginning of the year                       13.7     120.1 
--------------------------------------------------------  -------  -------- 
 Net cash at the end of the year                           (27.8)      13.7 
--------------------------------------------------------  -------  -------- 
 

Movement in net cash

 
                                  Cash and           Bank loans        Finance     Total 
                          cash equivalents        and revolving          lease 
                                              credit facilities    liabilities 
                                      GBPm                 GBPm           GBPm      GBPm 
--------------------    ------------------  -------------------  -------------  -------- 
 1 January 2014                      121.3                    -          (1.2)     120.1 
 Cash flow                             8.4              (115.0)            0.7   (105.9) 
 Cash acquired                         3.3                    -              -       3.3 
 Exchange movements                  (3.8)                    -              -     (3.8) 
----------------------  ------------------  -------------------  -------------  -------- 
 31 December 2014                    129.2              (115.0)          (0.5)      13.7 
----------------------  ------------------  -------------------  -------------  -------- 
 Cash flow                             1.8               (40.0)            0.2    (38.0) 
 Cash acquired                       (0.1)                    -              -     (0.1) 
 Exchange movements                  (3.4)                    -              -     (3.4) 
----------------------  ------------------  -------------------  -------------  -------- 
 31 December 2015                    127.5              (155.0)          (0.3)    (27.8) 
----------------------  ------------------  -------------------  -------------  -------- 
 

12 CASH GENERATED FROM OPERATIONS

 
                                                                                              2015     2014 
                                                                                    Note      GBPm     GBPm 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -----  --------  ------- 
 (Loss)/profit before tax                                                                   (46.2)     32.5 
 Net finance income                                                                            7.5      4.3 
 Loss/(profit) from joint venture                                                              0.2    (0.2) 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -----  --------  ------- 
 Operating (loss)/profit                                                                    (38.5)     36.6 
 Adjustment for non-cash items: 
  - employee share-based payment                                                               2.2      2.7 
  - depreciation on PP&E                                                                       5.9      5.9 
  - amortisation of other intangibles                                                         23.9     19.2 
  - amortisation of pre-contract costs                                                         1.7      1.4 
  - profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment                                          -    (0.5) 
  - New South Wales workers' compensation contract                                           (0.4)      7.1 
  - expense relating to the total amount payable to the sellers of MM4               15        3.0      2.7 
  - expense relating to the total amount payable to the sellers of Total Objects     15        3.0        - 
  - expense relating to the total amount payable to the sellers of Spikes Cavell     15        1.2        - 
  - pension curtailment                                                              2       (2.7)        - 
  - other non-cash items(1)                                                                   72.3        - 
                                                                                             110.1     75.1 
 Changes in working capital (excluding the effects of business combinations): 
  - decrease in trade and other receivables                                                   16.1     18.8 
  - decrease in trade and other payables                                                    (39.4)   (27.4) 
  - decrease in retirement benefit obligations                                               (3.7)    (6.2) 
  - (decrease)/increase in provisions                                                        (6.5)      0.8 
 Cash generated from operations                                                               38.1     61.1 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -----  --------  ------- 
 
   1.     Including GBP59.3 million goodwill impairment, GBP10.9 million asset impairments. 

The change in working capital in trade and other payables in 2015 includes a working capital outflow of GBP18.0 million due to the exit of a large Procurement contract.

13 FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

Leases

Rent costs and lease incentives are charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

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At 31 December, future aggregate minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases were as follows:

 
                                                      2015   2014 
                                                      GBPm   GBPm 
--------------------------------------------------   -----  ----- 
 Within one year                                       6.1    6.8 
 Later than one year but not more than five years     19.4   18.0 
 Later than five years                                20.8   24.1 
---------------------------------------------------  -----  ----- 
                                                      46.3   48.9 
 --------------------------------------------------  -----  ----- 
 

The Group's most significant leases are those of the premises in Basildon, London, Chatham, Gurgaon, Hof, Melbourne, Milan, Folkstone, Chicago, Manesar, Chennai, Paris, Kuala Lumpar, Bangalore, Fulwood, Singapore and Sydney.

The lease expiry dates for the above locations are:

 
 Basildon              Oct-29 
 London                Nov-28 
 Chatham               Oct-24 
 Gurgaon A             Mar-23 
 Gurgaon B             Nov-22 
 Hof                   Dec-21 
 Melbourne             Jun-21 
 Milan                 Apr-19 
 Folkestone            Dec-18 
 Chicago               Aug-18 
 Manesar               Mar-18 
 Chennai               Jan-18 
 Paris                 Aug-17 
 Kuala Lumpur          Nov-16 
 Bangalore             Aug-16 
 Fulwood               Jun-16 
 Singapore          Mar-16(1) 
 Sydney             Feb-16(1) 
 
   1.     Lease contracts are currently in negotiation for renewal. 

Contingent liabilities

In the ordinary course of business, the Group is subject to legal proceedings, claims, and litigation, and is currently a defendant in a claim alleging a breach of warranties in the US. In 2009 the Group acquired 75% of the Indian Company, Cambridge Solutions Limited ('CSL') (now called Xchanging Solutions Limited). The claim in question relates to a contract that was awarded to an American subsidiary of CSL in 2006 and was subsequently sold by that American subsidiary, prior to the acquisition of CSL by the Group. Based on the facts available to date and legal advice thereon, the Company believes it is not probable that the claim will be successful or that there will be a material adverse impact on the Group. Fact discovery and proceedings are ongoing in this matter.

The Group has given certain indemnities and warranties in the course of disposing and acquiring of businesses and has given guarantees for operational performance of its subsidiaries for contracts entered into in the ordinary course of trading. The Group does not believe that any liability in respect of these guarantees is likely to have a material effect on the Group's financial position.

Bank guarantees

The Group has provided GBP1.7 million (2014: GBP2.7 million) of bank guarantees in respect of non-performance of its obligations under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business and leased property deposits. The guarantees are issued under separate guarantee facilities of which GBP0.4 million (2014: GBP0.3 million) are collateralised with cash from the operating business for which they are issued.

Corporate guarantees

The Group has put in place guarantees covering contributions and deficit recovery payments to two of its pension schemes as part of agreements reached with each scheme's trustees. A GBP30.0 million guarantee has been provided to the trustees of the Rebus pension scheme by Xchanging plc. A guarantee provided by Xchanging Ins-Sure Holdings ltd to the LPC scheme trustees decreases in line with deficit contributions paid to the scheme under the agreed Schedule of Contributions. The value of the LPC scheme guarantee was GBP5.5 million as at 31 December 2015 (2014: GBP6.1 million).

14 PROVISIONS

Provisions are recognised when a present legal or constructive obligation exists as the result of a past event, it is probable that this will result in an outflow of resources and the amount of which can be reliably estimated.

 
                                 Onerous                                   Employee 
                                  leases                   Litigation       related 
                           and contracts   Restructuring    provision    provisions   Other    Total 
                                    GBPm            GBPm         GBPm          GBPm    GBPm     GBPm 
----------------------   ---------------  --------------  -----------  ------------  ------  ------- 
 At 1 January 
  2015                               1.6             8.9          4.4           4.4     0.6     19.9 
 Charged/(credited) 
  to the income 
  statement: 
  - Provided in 
   the year                          3.0             4.6            -           1.1     0.4      9.1 
  - Released in 
   the year                            -           (0.5)            -             -       -    (0.5) 
 Used in the year                  (2.5)           (7.4)        (0.7)         (1.1)   (0.4)   (12.1) 
 Exchange adjustments              (0.1)           (0.3)            -             -       -    (0.4) 
-----------------------  ---------------  --------------  -----------  ------------  ------  ------- 
 At 31 December 
  2015                               2.0             5.3          3.7           4.4     0.6     16.0 
-----------------------  ---------------  --------------  -----------  ------------  ------  ------- 
 

Provisions have been analysed between current and non-current as follows:

 
                2015   2014 
                GBPm   GBPm 
Current         13.8   18.0 
Non-current      2.2    1.9 
                16.0   19.9 
 

Onerous leases and contracts

The 'Split and Fix' onerous contract provision was booked during the year and started to be used.

Restructuring

The additional provision noted above is attributable to the Procurement business from the 'Split and Fix'. The GBP7.4 million used in the year was predominantly the 2014/2015 Group wide restructuring provision. The NSW provision was used in the year with a GBP0.4 million release.

Litigation provision

During the year, GBP0.7 million has been used in relation to the legal case mentioned above.

Employee-related provisions

The employee-related provision includes gratuity provisions (required by Indian law), long service provisions (required in Australia) and compensated absences. Long service awards and compensated absences are based on actuarial valuations, which are updated at each reporting date. The gratuity provisions as well as the early and part-time retirement provision both have an element of uncertainty surrounding their amount and timing of utilisation.

15 ACQUISITIONS

Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition accounting method, from the date at which control passes to the Group. The consideration transferred for the acquisition of a business is the fair value of the assets transferred, the liabilities incurred to the former owner of the acquiree and the equity interests issued by the Group. The consideration transferred includes the fair value of any asset or liability resulting from a contingent consideration arrangement. Subsequent changes in the fair value of contingent consideration are recognised in profit and loss for the year. Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination are measured initially at their fair values at acquisition date.

   (i)         Spikes Cavell Analytic Limited 

On 25 February 2015, the Group acquired 100% of the share capital of Spikes Cavell Analytic Limited ('Spikes Cavell'), a British company providing spend analytics technology and services mainly to public sector institutions in the UK and higher education authorities in the US, but also increasingly to the private sector. Based in Newbury (UK) and Virginia (US) and with 35 employees, Spikes Cavell brings to Xchanging a portfolio of c. 60 existing lead customers, some of which represent groups. The acquisition extends Xchanging's strategy to differentiate its products and services through technology-enablement. The Spikes Cavell technology will augment our existing MM4 platform, enabling MM4 to achieve 'full-suite status' in the sourcing technology sector.

The total consideration was GBP6.9 million. The contingent consideration arrangement requires the Group to pay the former owners of Spikes Cavell GBP3.1 million of which GBP2.7 million is expensed as part of the earnings mechanism and GBP0.4 million is recognised within the purchase price. GBP3.8 million cash was paid up front.

The revenue included in the consolidated income statement from 25 February 2015 to 31 December 2015 contributed by Spikes Cavell was GBP1.5 million. Spikes Cavell also contributed a statutory loss before tax of GBP6.0 million that includes a GBP4.6 million goodwill impairment expense and GBP1.2 million of acquisition related expenses (AOP loss of GBP0.2 million) over the same period. Had Spikes Cavell been consolidated from 1 January 2015, the consolidated income statement for the year ended 31 December 2015 would show revenue of GBP1.6 million and an AOP loss before tax of GBP0.5 million.

The final fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired are set out below:

 
                               Fair 
                              value 
                               GBPm 
Net liabilities acquired        0.2 
 

Goodwill represents the value of potential future sales, (including the ability to cross Spikes Cavell products to existing customers), and the reduced costs of the combined Spikes Cavell/Xchanging Business.

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