TIDMCLKH 
 
2 July 2010 
 
                            Clarkson Hill Group Plc 
 
                       ("Clarkson Hill" or the "Group") 
 
                Final Results for the year to 31 December 2009 
 
Results 
 
There was a Group operating loss before exceptional costs of GBP(104,999) (2008: 
GBP(645,095)), reflecting both the continued impact of economic uncertainty on 
investment business and the costs incurred in reorganisation and additional 
regulatory requirements placed on the group. Operating efficiency deteriorated 
to 21.7% (2008 17.7%) due largely to the reduction in turnover. 
 
The proportion of income derived from pension and investments increased by 9% 
over 2008. The proportion of protection remained broadly the same but mortgage 
related activities decreased by 47% down to just 8% of group income, as a 
result of the dramatic reduction in house sales and remortgages. 
 
Gross profit increased to 18.5% (2008 15.5%) this reflects the attention given 
to ensuring commission scale payments were in line with adviser production. 
 
Transition 
 
In order to prepare the Group for the impact of the Retail Distribution Review 
(RDR) the directors and advisers continue to focus on the creation of recurring 
income (trail and fees). Whilst RDR will not be implemented until the beginning 
of 2013, it is essential that this preparatory work is put in place now. 
 
As previously stated in the half year results, in order to establish recurring 
income, less initial commission is being received on single premium investment 
and pension sales. This is reflected in the fact that the average single 
premium investment commission income received in 2009 was 3.7% of premium, 4.5% 
in 2008 and 5.36% in 2007. 
 
Whilst income from Assets under management (AUM) continues to grow and is now 
running at the rate of approximately GBP3 million per year, it takes some time 
for the accumulated trail to fully compensate for the loss of initial 
commission. From the commencement of AUM in 2007 to December 2009 the effect of 
the decreased initial commission against the present increase in trail has 
caused a drop in gross profit of just over GBP300,000. 
 
Notwithstanding this transitional shortfall, the directors are clear that the 
work being done in this area is fundamental to the future strength of the Group 
post RDR and its valuation. 
 
Regulatory Costs 
 
During the second half of the year, the Group was subject to a regulatory 
review of its systems and controls. Independent consultants have reviewed the 
group's processes and revisions have taken place to bring them in line. This 
has resulted in changes in the Compliance department and significant 
exceptional costs. 
 
In April of 2010, The Financial Services Compensation Scheme raised a levy of GBP 
80 million in respect of Pacific Continental Securities (UK) Ltd, Square Mile 
Securities Ltd and Keydata Investment Services. As a consequence the group 
received an invoice, 75% of which is backdated to the year 2009. This has been 
reflected in the accounts and identified as an exceptional item. 
 
In addition to the above costs the Group met its regulatory and P.I. annual 
costs of GBP608,000. Clearly the additional costs incurred against a background 
of a recession hit income, has resulted in the Group's loss for 2009. 
 
Qualifications for RDR 
 
The Group continues to assist its advisers in reaching the necessary 
qualification levels to be able to continue to provide client advice in 2013. 
 
85% of advisers are either already qualified or completing the process of 
achieving the necessary level. The recent clarifications provided will assist 
in advisers obtaining the necessary qualifications. 
 
The Group will continue to provide both in-house and provider supported 
training to enable advisers to pass the examination within the time frame. 
 
The directors are confident that the vast majority of our advisers will achieve 
the necessary qualifications. For those advisers who chose not to pursue the 
examinations, plans are in place to enable them to continue to introduce 
clients to the group. It should be noted that some 7.5% of the CF30 advisers 
yet to proceed with the examination transact 90% of their business in the 
mortgage and protection market. 
 
The work already begun on moving Assets under Management will greatly assist 
both the Group and advisers in meeting the challenge of RDR. 
 
Treating Customers Fairly 
 
The Group continues to pay attention to regulatory and consumer aspects of 
Treating Customers Fairly. 
 
Since inception the group has carried out 132,300 advisory transactions. To 
date 30 complaints have been upheld, representing 0.022%. 
 
The directors continue to believe that the group's approach to compliance 
checking is the way to provide suitable advice to its clients and protect the 
group from future complaints. 
 
Outlook 
 
2009 has been a difficult year for the Group, however, substantial steps have 
been taken, in the areas of cost savings, and increased recurring income, which 
will assist in going forward. 
 
The directors believe that continued focus on developing and recruiting 
professional qualified advisers, available to provide appropriate advice on a 
wide range of financial issues, to clients on a face to face basis is the way 
forward. 
 
This approach allied to an ever increasing recurring income base for the group 
will enhance the value of the Group. 
 
Following the losses incurred in 2009 and the increased regulatory costs, the 
Group needs to raise further capital to meet regulatory capital requirements. 
The directors are currently in discussions with a number of parties and are 
confident that this objective will be achieved. 
 
In the meantime the Group continues to trade as expected. 
 
Contact: 
 
Ron Pritchard               The Clarkson Hill Group      Tel: 01945 585721 
                            plc 
 
Antony Legge / Stuart Lane  Astaire Securities plc      Tel: 020 7492 4750 
 
www.clarksonhillgroup.co.uk 
 
The Clarkson Hill Group PLC 
 
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income 
 
for the year ended 31 December 2009 
 
                                              12 months    17 months 
                                                  ended        ended 
                                            31 December  31 December 
                                     Notes         2009         2008 
                                                      GBP            GBP 
 
Revenue                                3     17,551,520   29,093,190 
 
Cost of sales                              (14,300,750) (24,590,999) 
 
Gross profit                                  3,250,770    4,502,191 
 
Net operating expenses                      (3,355,769)  (5,147,286) 
 
Operating loss                         4      (104,999)    (645,095) 
 
Exceptional items:                     6      (465,107)            - 
 
                                              (570,106)    (645,095) 
 
Interest receivable and similar                   1,962       47,159 
income 
 
Finance costs                                  (68,555)     (71,271) 
 
Loss on ordinary activities before            (636,699)    (669,207) 
taxation 
 
Tax on loss on ordinary                        (68,000)      163,721 
activities 
 
Total comprehensive income for the            (704,699)    (505,486) 
year 
 
Basic loss per share                   5          -2.6p       -2.11p 
 
 
The Clarkson Hill Group PLC 
 
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position 
 
as at 31 December 2009 
 
                                31 December  31 December 
                                       2009         2008 
ASSETS                                    GBP            GBP 
 
Non current assets 
 
Intangibles                         120,055      120,055 
 
Property, Plant & Equipment         133,733      153,978 
 
Investments                           7,000        7,000 
 
Deferred Tax                        435,919      503,919 
 
                                    696,707      784,952 
 
Current assets 
 
Trade and other receivables       3,509,013    3,189,357 
 
Cash and cash equivalents           277,658      586,640 
 
                                  3,786,671    3,775,997 
 
Total assets                      4,483,378    4,560,949 
 
EQUITIES & LIABILITIES 
 
Called up share capital             591,005      479,154 
 
Share premium                     2,205,159    2,087,011 
 
Merger reserve                     (99,000)     (99,000) 
 
Retained earnings               (2,602,151)  (1,897,452) 
 
Total equity                         95,013      569,713 
 
Non-current liabilities 
 
Long term borrowings                458,333      534,444 
 
Current liabilities 
 
Trade and other payables          3,448,293    3,077,838 
 
Short term borrowings               346,745      142,258 
 
Current portion of long term         53,066      187,031 
borrowings 
 
                                     81,928       49,665 
Current taxes payable 
 
                                  3,930,032    3,456,792 
 
Total equity and                  4,483,378    4,560,949 
liabilities 
 
The Clarkson Hill Group PLC 
 
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows 
 
for the year ended 31 December 2009 
 
                                        12 months  17 months 
                                            ended      ended 
                                               31         31 
                                         December   December 
                                             2009       2008 
                                                GBP          GBP 
 
Cash flows from operating activities 
 
Loss before taxation                    (636,699)  (669,207) 
 
Depreciation                               73,500     80,200 
 
Impairment                                      -    (1,775) 
 
Interest net                               66,593     24,112 
 
Operating loss before working capital   (496,606)  (566,670) 
changes 
 
(Increase)/decrease in trade and other  (319,656)    211,095 
receivables 
 
Increase in trade and other payables      402,718    405,316 
 
Cash generated from operations          (413,544)     49,741 
 
Interest paid                            (68,555)   (71,271) 
 
Net cash outflow from operating         (482,099)   (21,530) 
activities 
 
Cash flows from investing activities 
 
Net Disposals of intangibles                    -     18,000 
 
Purchase property, plant & equipment     (53,255)   (40,645) 
 
Interest received                           1,962     47,159 
 
                                         (51,293)     24,514 
 
Cash flows from financing activities 
 
Share issue / Forfeiture of shares        229,999   (56,062) 
 
Proceeds from (repayment of) long term    (4,444)    350,000 
borrowings 
 
Movement in short term borrowings         (1,145)  (364,846) 
 
Payment of hire purchase and finance            -    (8,462) 
liabilities 
 
Net cash used in financing operations     224,410   (79,370) 
 
Net decrease in cash and cash           (308,982)   (76,386) 
equivalents 
 
Cash and cash equivalents at the          586,640    663,026 
beginning of the period 
 
Cash and cash equivalents at the end      277,658    586,640 
of the period 
 
The Clarkson Hill Group PLC 
 
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity 
 
for the year ended 31 December 2009 
 
                         Share     Share    Merger   Retained     Total 
                        capital   Premium  reserve   earnings    equity 
 
  At 1 January 2009      479,154 2,087,011 (99,000) (1,897,452)   569,713 
 
  Total comprehensive          -         -        -   (704,699) (704,699) 
  income for the year 
 
  Share issues           111,851   118,148        -           -   229,999 
 
  Balance at 31          591,005 2,205,159 (99,000) (2,602,151)    95,013 
  December 2009 
  carried forward 
 
  At 1 August 2007       482,154 2,140,073 (99,000) (1,391,966) 1,131,261 
 
  Total comprehensive          -         -        -   (505,486) (505,486) 
  income for the year 
 
  Share forfeiture       (3,000)  (53,062)        -           -  (56,062) 
 
  Balance at 31          479,154 2,087,011 (99,000) (1,897,452)   569,713 
  December 2008 
  carried forward 
 
Notes to the Accounts 
 
1    Basis of preparation 
 
     The accounts set out above do not constitute statutory accounts as 
     defined by Section 428 of the UK Companies Act 2006. The balance sheets 
     at 31 December 2009 and the income statement, cash flow statements and 
     statement of changes in equity for the year then ended have been 
     extracted from the Group's 2009 statutory financial statements upon 
     which the auditors' opinion is unqualified. The results for the period 
     ended 31 December 2008 have been extracted from the statutory accounts 
     for that period, which contain an unqualified auditors' report. 
 
2    Going Concern 
 
     The directors have acknowledged the latest guidance on going concern and 
     liquidity risk published by the Financial Reporting Council. Whilst the 
     current uncertainty in financial markets has created general 
     uncertainty, the group has well established trading and client 
     relationships. 
 
     The directors recognise that in order to meet regulatory capital 
     requirements, an injection of capital is required. Currently the 
     directors are in discussions with a number of parties and are confident 
     that this objective will be achieved, however if it is not forthcoming 
     the company may not continue as a going concern. If the company did not 
     continue as a going concern some assets would need to be revalued, in 
     particular the amount of GBP435,919 shown in non current assets as 
     deferred tax recoverable would not exist. After making enquiries the 
     directors have formed a judgement, at the time of approving the 
     financial statements, that there is a reasonable expectation that the 
     group will have adequate resources to continue in operational existence 
     for the foreseeable future. For this reason, the directors continue to 
     adopt the going concern basis in preparing the annual report and 
     financial statements. 
 
3    Segmental analysis 
 
     During the year the group adopted IFRS 8 "Operating Segments". IFRS 8 
     replaces IAS 14 "Segmental reporting" and requires operating segments to 
     be identified based on reporting to the Chief operating decision maker, 
     which is the plc Board. 
 
     The group operates as a National IFA, with all its advisers regulated 
     through the company with the FSA. The clients advised and the products 
     utilised are similar for all advisers. Therefore there is not considered 
     to be any material difference in the identification of operating 
     segments on the revised basis and accordingly the determination of the 
     Group's operating segment continues to be by business type and as all 
     business is carried out in the UK a secondary geographical segment is 
     not considered relevant. The business segments can be analysed to the 
     gross profit level; other costs, assets and liabilities are not directly 
     attributable to any of the segments and apportionment is not considered 
     meaningful. 
 
                        12 months     12 months     17 months      17 months 
                          ended         ended         ended          ended 
                            31            31            31        31 December 
                         December      December      December 
                           2009          2009          2008          2008 
                         Turnover       Gross        Turnover        Gross 
                                        Profit                      Profit 
                                 GBP             GBP             GBP              GBP 
 
     Investments         6,744,914     1,234,993    10,121,105      1,551,437 
 
     Pensions            5,548,766     1,063,345     8,675,232      1,313,374 
 
     Fees/Mortgages      1,327,285       245,107     4,337,616        624,187 
 
     Protection          3,771,080       597,850     5,783,488        873,750 
 
     Other                 159,475       109,475       175,749        139,443 
 
                        17,551,520     3,250,770    29,093,190      4,502,191 
 
                                                            31    31 December 
                                                      December 
 
4    Operating loss                                       2009           2008 
                                                             GBP              GBP 
 
     Operating loss is stated 
     after charging: 
 
     Depreciation of owned fixed                        73,500         72,573 
     assets 
 
     Depreciation of                                         -          7,627 
     assets held under 
     finance leases and 
     hire purchase 
     contracts 
 
     Amortisation                                            -        (1,775) 
 
     Operating lease rentals -                         299,427        481,192 
     land & buildings 
 
     Auditors' 
     remuneration 
 
     Audit fee                                          42,400         27,050 
 
 
 
5    Loss per share 
 
     The earnings per share is calculated on the loss attributable to 
     ordinary shareholders of GBP704,699 (2008: loss GBP505,486) divided by 
     27,115,161 (2008: 23,957,677) being the weighted average number of 
     ordinary shares in issue during the year. 
 
     During 2009 and 2008, the share warrants and options were antidilutive 
     and accordingly there is no dilution of loss per share. However, the 
     share options could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the 
     future 
 
6    Exceptional items                                    2009           2008 
                                                             GBP              GBP 
 
     Exceptional costs                               (465,107)              - 
 
 
 
     As highlighted in the Interim report, GBP129,320 of exceptional costs were 
     incurred in a combination of redundancies and the renegotiation of 
     office contracts. 
 
     In order to meet the requirements of the FSA, Independent consultants 
     were employed to review and then revise the groups processes and 
     procedures resulting in an exceptional cost of GBP230,787. 
 
     In April of 2010 The Financial Services Compensation Scheme raised a 
     levy of GBP80 million in respect of Pacific Continental Securities (UK) 
     Ltd, Square Mile Securities Ltd and Keydata Investment Services. As a 
     consequence the group received an invoice, GBP105,000 of which, is 
     backdated to the year 2009. This has been reflected in the accounts and 
     identified as an exceptional item, as this is now subject to a judicial 
     review. 
 
A mounts owed to group undertakings and undertakings in which the company has a 
participating interest 
 
 
 
END 
 

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