REG - Harworth Group PLC - Results for the six months ended 30 June 2024
12/09/2024 07:00
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RNS Number : 8602D Harworth Group PLC 12 September 2024
12 September 2024
Harworth Group plc
("Harworth" or "the Group")
Results for the six months ended 30 June 2024
Strong NDV and Total Return growth; well positioned for increased development
and investment activity in Industrial & Logistics sector
Highlights
· EPRA NDV((1)) increased 3.5% to £687.0 million (31 December 2023: £662.9
million) with the Group on track to reach £1 billion by the end of 2027
· Total return of 4.0% (H1 2023: 0.1%)
· Operating profit increased 164% to £21.1 million (H1 2023: £8.0 million)
· Net LTV of 9.8%, available liquidity of £154.2 million and net debt of £80.5
million reflecting the profile of higher drawdown mid-year
· Extensive existing land pipeline has the potential to deliver 38.8 million sq.
ft. of Industrial & Logistics space and 26,639 plots for new homes
· Planning permission achieved for 1.8 million sq. ft. and 500 plots, plus a
further 1.5 million sq. ft. and 500 plots post period end, alongside new draft
allocations or allocations in local plans for 5.7 million sq. ft. and 2,875
plots
· Completed, exchanged, or in heads of terms on 145% of budgeted land sales for
the year
Key financials
Key statutory measures H1 2024 H1 2023 FY 2023
Operating profit £21.1 million £8.0 million £54.2 million
Net asset value £650.0 million £603.1 million £637.7 million
Total dividend per share((3)) 0.489p 0.444p 1.466p
Net debt £80.5 million £63.7 million £36.4 million
Key non-statutory measures((2)) H1 2024 H1 2023 FY 2023
Total return 4.0% 0.1% 5.1%
EPRA NDV per share 212.3p 195.7p 205.1p
Value gains £47.0 million £7.5 million £58.1 million
Net loan to portfolio value 9.8% 8.6% 4.7%
Lynda Shillaw, Chief Executive of Harworth, commented: "Harworth continues to
consistently deliver strong progress against its strategic objectives and we
remain on track to reach £1 billion EPRA NDV by the end of 2027. In June we
announced that the Group would increase its focus on Industrial &
Logistics direct development, with an intention to grow the Investment
Portfolio, through direct development and selective acquisitions, to £0.9
billion by the end of 2029. This reflects the opportunity we see to deliver
into a sector which is key to economic growth and where there is critical
undersupply of high-quality space, in order to grow recurring income and
underpin sustainable shareholder returns.
"The first half saw significant progress on planning approvals, adding further
capacity to our near-term Industrial & Logistics pipeline and driving a
strong revaluation performance. We are ahead of budget for land sales, with
the standout transaction, as well as our largest sale to date, being the
conditional £106.6 million serviced land sale to Microsoft at Skelton Grange,
announced in June. The sale of serviced land provides a stable funding channel
for the planned growth in our Industrial & Logistics development
programme.
"Sustained demand for Harworth's serviced land and employment spaces,
alongside management actions, has underpinned EPRA NDV growth of 3.5% and we
expect further growth in the second half as we continue to develop out our
existing sites.
"Our current Industrial & Logistics pipeline has the potential to deliver
future Gross Development Value((5)) of £5 billion which contributes
significantly to the £1 billion EPRA NDV target. The near term pipeline has
the ability to deliver up to £0.8 billion of Gross Development Value by the
end of 2027. Our recent transactions, both for Commercial and Residential use,
are evidence of the underlying market demand for Harworth's high-quality land
and property.
"We are cautiously optimistic that a combination of improving economic
stability and supportive government policy will be beneficial for both the
real estate sector and Harworth. In the near term we recognise market
confidence could potentially be tempered by the extent of the steps taken by
the Government to address the public funding deficit, but as a long-term
investor Harworth is well versed in delivering performance through different
policy environments.
"Ultimately, Harworth is a long-term through-the-cycle business and its
extensive land pipeline, track record, specialist skillset and strong balance
sheet sets us apart from our peers and enables us to maximise the value
created from our sites for our shareholders."
Management actions drive enhanced value gains and profitability
· Value gains totalled £47.0 million (H1 2023: £7.5 million), driven by sales,
development of sites and planning permissions against the backdrop of
relatively stable markets
· Operating profit increased 164% to £21.1 million (H1 2023: £8.0 million),
reflecting increased land sales, revenue from development management, and
other gains relating to the valuations of investment properties and assets
held for sale
· Annualised rental income for the Investment Portfolio increased to £14.4
million, growth of 2.4% on a like-for-like basis
· Dividend per share up 10% at 0.489p (H1 2023: 0.444p), consistent with the
Group's existing dividend policy
Robust cash generation from residential land sales and strong balance sheet
position
· Completed 357 plot sales of serviced land for proceeds of £24.0 million, in
line with December 2023 book values, and a further 132 plots post period end
· Net debt of £80.5 million (31 December 2023: £36.4 million), representing a
Net LTV of 9.8% (31 December 2023: 4.7%)
· Available liquidity of £154.2 million (31 December 2023: £192.2 million),
with no major refinancing requirements until 2027
· Continuing to use capital light funding structures, including Option and
Planning Promotion Agreements ("PPAs"), to facilitate growth and maximise
returns
Growth targets underpinned by strong planning progress and extensive land
pipeline
· Land pipeline now has the potential to deliver 38.8 million sq. ft. of
Industrial & Logistics space and 26,639 plots for new homes, the largest
Industrial & Logistics pipeline in the Group's history
· Planning permission secured for 1.8 million sq. ft. and 500 plots, plus a
further 1.5 million sq. ft. and 185 plots post period end
· New draft allocations or allocations in local plans for 5.7 million sq. ft.
and 2,875 plots
· An additional 6.4 million sq. ft. and 2,269 plots progressing through the
planning system and awaiting determination
Increased strategic focus on Industrial & Logistics Major Developments
programme
· As at 30 June 2024, the consented Industrial & Logistics land portfolio
increased to 8.1 million sq. ft., of which 5.9 million sq. ft. is in Major
Developments (31 December 2023: 4.6 million sq. ft.), following transfers of
1.3 million sq. ft. from Strategic Land
· 0.5 million sq. ft. of Grade A space is currently in development or expected
to start in the next 12 months, following practical completion post period end
of 0.1 million sq. ft. of pre-let space
· Enabling works currently underway for 2.2 million sq. ft. of direct
development on several Major Development sites, plus further enabling works
underway at Skelton Grange in relation to the Microsoft serviced land sale
· The current Industrial & Logistics land pipeline has the potential to
deliver £5 billion of Gross Development Value (GDV)((5))
· By the end of 2027 the consented Industrial & Logistics pipeline has the
ability to deliver £0.8 billion of GDV
On track to achieve 100% Grade A core Investment Portfolio by the end of 2027;
targeting £0.9 billion portfolio by the end of 2029
· The Investment Portfolio value increased 4.4% to £231.2 million, of which 37%
is Grade A (31 December 2023: £221.4 million and 37% Grade A)
· Net initial yield increased to 5.9% (2023: 5.7%) whilst net equivalent yield
reduced marginally to 7.0% (2023: 7.1%) continuing to provide reversion
potential
· 83,000 sq. ft. of Grade A Industrial & Logistics development completed in
the 12 months prior to 30 June 2024 was retained in the Investment Portfolio,
with 100% now let, exchanged or in heads of terms, broadly in line with or at
apremium to, December 2023 estimated rental values (ERV)
· 94% of the 0.5 million sq. ft. of Grade A space currently in development, or
due to start in the next 12 months, is expected to be retained in the Group's
Investment Portfolio, of which 38% is pre-let or being constructed for an
owner-occupier, and is anticipated to generate additional annualised rental
income of £5.4 million
· EPRA vacancy rate of 6.3% (31 December 2023: 9.9%), reduces to 3.9% excluding
units completed in the last 12 months (31 December 2023: 1.2%), and 98% of
rent due in H1 2024 collected
Committed to sustainable development
· In April, Harworth published its 2023 Net Zero Carbon (NZC) Pathway Progress
report, alongside its Communities Framework, laying out its commitment to
local communities and the progress made against its sustainability target of
being operationally NZC by 2030 and NZC for all emissions by 2040
· Completed the planting of over 108,000 trees in collaboration with the
Forestry Commission at its Chevington North site in Northumberland and
recently opened a new 350-acre Country Park in Thoresby Vale
Strategy evolution
Evolution of strategy to increase the focus on Industrial & Logistics
development and retain more prime Grade A properties in the Group's Investment
Portfolio, which is now targeted to grow to £0.9 billion by the end of 2029,
with growth accelerating from 2026 onwards as the next generation of
Industrial & Logistics sites move through the cycle.
· Increased retention of directly developed Grade A properties will be the main
driver of growth in the Investment Portfolio, supplemented by selective
acquisitions to support this strategy and accelerate the transition to Grade A
across the existing portfolio
· As the Investment Portfolio grows the Group expects the increase in recurring
earnings to allow increased dividends to be declared in future years
· Whilst the Board intends to continue to review the dividend policy annually,
anticipated dividend growth is not expected to impact the Group's ability to
deliver capital growth and maximise returns
· With this increased focus on Industrial & Logistics assets, the Group
expects its balance sheet to be weighted over 85% towards Industrial &
Logistics by the end of 2029, compared to just over 60% at 31 December 2023
· To provide a steady funding platform for the growth of its core Industrial
& Logistics portfolio Harworth will continue to create value from sales of
high-quality serviced land
Analyst and investor presentation
Harworth will host a presentation for analysts and investors at 9:30AM today,
12 September 2024. A live webcast and playback can be accessed on the
following link:
https://brrmedia.news/HWG_HY_24
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Notes:
(1) European Public Real Estate Association ('EPRA') Net Disposal Value ('NDV')
(2) Harworth discloses both statutory and alternative performance measures
('APMs'), a full description of, and reconciliation to, the APMs is set out in
Note 2 to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements and the
appendix
(3) The Ex-dividend date, Record date and Payment date for the 2024 interim
dividend can be found in the Shareholder Information section of this
announcement
(4) Source: JLL UK Big Box Industrial & Logistics Market Update
(5) Gross Development Value (GDV) is an estimate of value to be delivered on
completion of the building or development
For further information
Harworth Group plc
Lynda Shillaw (Chief Executive) T: +44 (0) 7436 167 285
Kitty Patmore (Chief Financial Officer) E: investors@harworthgroup.com
Luke Passby (Head of Investor Relations & Communications)
FTI Consulting
Dido Laurimore T: +44 (0) 20 3727 1000
Richard Gotla E: Harworth@fticonsulting.com
Eve Kirmatzis
About Harworth
Listed on the equity shares (commercial companies) category of the Main Market
of the London Stock Exchange, Harworth Group plc (LSE: HWG) is a leading
sustainable regenerator of land and property for development and investment
which owns, develops and manages a portfolio of over 14,000 acres of land on
over 100 sites located throughout the North of England and Midlands. The Group
specialises in the regeneration of large, complex sites, in particular former
industrial sites, into new Industrial & Logistics and Residential
developments to create sustainable places where people want to live and work,
supporting new homes, jobs and communities across the regions and delivering
long-term value for all stakeholders. Visit www.harworthgroup.com for further
information. LEI: 213800R8JSSGK2KPFG21.
Chief Executive's Review
For the six months ended 30 June 2024
Harworth has delivered a strong first half reflecting the operational progress
achieved across the business as we continue to unlock value from our land and
property portfolio. We continue to deliver against the four strategic pillars
we set out in 2021 and remain on track to deliver an EPRA NDV of £1 billion
by the end of 2027. We are now half way through our strategic plan, and as
such we recently reviewed our long term guidance and targets with a view to
providing more detail on the evolution of the growth strategy.
The optimised strategy still sees us reach £1 billion EPRA NDV by the end of
2027 but with increased focus on Industrial & Logistics direct development
and an intention to retain more of that space to build an Investment Portfolio
of £0.9 billion by the end of 2029. Whilst we expect to continue to maintain
high single to low double digit total returns in the medium term, this
strategy will enable us to announce increased dividends as recurring income
grows, which is expected to optimise shareholder returns.
Our markets
Harworth's focus markets are the Industrial & Logistics (land sales,
direct development and investment) and Residential (land sales) sectors. Both
remain fundamental to enabling growth in the UK economy, and the policy themes
of the new Government reflect the need to drive investment across the UK to
create new homes and jobs and decarbonise the economy. While it is early days,
in general the mood feels more positive across both of our markets, as
alongside political stability, we have seen inflation ease and the first rate
cut take effect in August: all of which are key to driving an increase in
investor interest in the UK. We do however remain watchful until more detail
of the new Government's plans and its funding proposals are visible, and any
impact on the industry can be assessed.
In the Industrial & Logistics sector, the structural drivers of demand
seen in recent years remain intact, driven by the growth of e-commerce,
on-shoring and near-shoring still present coupled with an increasing focus
amongst occupiers on securing modern and sustainable spaces for manufacturing,
with power connection and availability being a key factor. Recent research
from Savills shows that prime yield indicators have remained broadly stable
with a positive outlook for the industrial sub-sectors and are expected to
remain stable at least until the October 2024 Budget, or until further rate
cuts. The expectation of further rate cuts and stable pricing, combined with
rising confidence in economic fundamentals that drive tenant demand, could
create the environment for improvements in yields in this sector towards the
end of the year, although this is by no means certain.
Our Industrial & Logistics serviced land remains in high demand, evidenced
by the conditional sale of two land parcels to Microsoft for £106.6 million,
our largest sale to date. We were able to bring forward this site by
progressing it through planning, recognising its attributes including power
availability, securing an occupier and collaborating with key stakeholders.
In the wider market, Industrial & Logistics supply has increased in the
first half with a vacancy rate in our regions of between 6% and 9% as a result
of speculative completions in H1 2024 alongside second hand space returning to
the market. Despite this, the North West had the lowest vacancy rate in the UK
in Q2((7)) and the Midlands region contributed over half of all Q2 take up in
this sector((8)).
Demand for build-to-suit units has remained strong in our regions supported by
increased take up for existing units with a focus from occupiers on
high-quality Grade A space: in the North West, 91% of take up in 2024 so far
has been Grade A space. There is evidence that new build high-quality
speculative units showed significantly shorter void periods compared to second
hand units.
With take-up improving, vacancy rates are expected to trend downwards into
2025. Throughout the period we continued to engage proactively with commercial
occupiers to understand demand for pre-let commitments and to collaborate with
occupiers and partners who engage us for build-to-suit development. This
engagement has highlighted the resilient nature of occupier demand and the
opportunity for future rental growth.
In the Residential sector, consumer demand remains subdued with mortgage
approvals still slightly below pre-pandemic levels as a result of prevailing
mortgage costs, challenging affordability, and lower consumer confidence,
albeit we have seen mortgage rates fall in recent months. Nationwide data
recently showed that house prices continue to increase, with annual growth
reaching 2.1% in the year to July.
We have continued to see strong demand for our serviced Residential land from
a wide range of housebuilders, both national and regional, at prices in line
with December 2023 book values, highlighting the high-quality and de-risked
nature of our land parcels. While the proposed planning reforms are welcomed,
the current planning system continues to drive lower levels of applications
for major schemes, and therefore the supply of consented land across the
market remains increasingly constrained.
Operational performance
During the period we achieved planning permission for 1.8 million sq. ft. of
Industrial & Logistics space along with 500 Residential plots, and a
further 1.5 million sq. ft. of Industrial & Logistics space and 185
Residential plots post period end. These planning achievements are key to
delivering the next phase of development across our sites. The demand for our
serviced product remains strong and we continue to receive high levels of
interest. At the time of reporting, land sales completed, exchanged, or in
heads of terms, are at 145% of the full year budget and at prices in line with
December 2023 book values. Land sales continue to provide a stable funding
channel for our Industrial & Logistics direct development programme.
Our extensive land pipeline now has the potential to deliver 38.8 million sq.
ft. of Industrial & Logistics space, the largest commercial pipeline we
have held to date, and 26,639 plots for new homes. The pipeline has been
de-risked, with 65% of the Industrial & Logistics sq. ft. and 48% of the
Residential plots having either a planning consent, currently progressing
through the planning system, or being allocated or holding a draft allocation.
During this first half, we saw progression of local plans resulting in
allocations or draft allocations of 5.7 million sq. ft. and 2,875 plots. This
was alongside planning consents for 3.3 million sq. ft. and 685 plots received
in the year to date. A further 6.4 million sq. ft. and 2,269 plots are
currently progressing through the planning system awaiting determination. With
a potential £5 billion of Gross Development Value expected from the
Industrial & Logistics pipeline, this highlights the intrinsic value still
to be unlocked from our land and property portfolio.
As at 30 June 2024, across our Industrial & Logistics development sites we
had 0.6 million sq. ft. of Grade A Industrial & Logistics space in
development, or expected to start in the next 12 months. 84% of that is
expected to be retained for investment purposes, generating an additional
£1.7 million of annualised rental income. Of this space, 0.1 million sq. ft.
was pre-let and reached practical completion post period end, contributing
£0.6 million of annualised rental income. We expect a further 0.1 million sq.
ft. to complete in the next 12 months. In addition to this, enabling works are
underway on a further 2.2 million sq. ft. of our next generation Industrial
& Logistics sites, excluding the work ongoing at Skelton Grange in
relation to the Microsoft land sale.
Letting activity remains strong, with an EPRA vacancy rate of 6.3% (31
December 2023: 9.9%), which reduces to 3.9% excluding units completed in the
last 12 months (31 December 2023: 1.2%), and 98% of rent due in H1 2024 has
been collected.
We are committed to our sustainability targets and our framework, The Harworth
Way, integrates sustainability and social value into our business and the
developments we create. A key element to our approach is placemaking. This is
the work we do across our sites that makes them places where people want to
live and work. It is at the heart of what we do, drives value for our
communities and our shareholders, and is critical to the success of our
schemes. All our schemes have placemaking initiatives; within the highlights
of what has been delivered so far this year is the planting of over 108,000
trees with the help of the local community at Chevington North,
Northumberland, in partnership with the Forestry Commission, and the opening
of a new 350 acre country park at our Thoresby Vale development in
Nottinghamshire. This benefits from a purpose-built forest style school
alongside commercial and leisure spaces, as well as over 100 acres of restored
heathland, now one of the UK's most threatened habitats.
Financial performance
During the period our land portfolio delivered £47.0 million of value gains
(H1 2023: £7.5 million), with the increase being driven largely by management
actions against a stable market backdrop. As a result, EPRA NDV per share((6))
increased 3.5% to 212.3p at 30 June 2024, up 8.5% compared to H1 2023. This
translates to a total return of 4.0% for the half (H1 2023: 0.1%).
Sales of serviced land and property, in addition to development management
revenues and income from rent, royalties and fees, resulted in Group revenue
of £41.3 million (H1 2023: £18.2 million). The increase is largely driven by
higher land sales and at the time of reporting we have completed, exchanged or
are in heads of terms on 145% of budgeted sales.
The Board is proposing an interim dividend of 0.489p per share, representing
10% growth from 2023, in line with our existing dividend policy. We recently
announced an evolution of our growth strategy and a target to grow our
Investment Portfolio to £0.9 billion by the end of 2029. As we deliver
against this goal we expect the growth in recurring income will allow
increased dividends to be declared.
We continue to maintain a strong balance sheet and financial position, with
significant available liquidity of £154.2 million as at 30 June 2024 (31
December 2023: £192.2 million) and no major refinancing events until 2027.
Our LTV at period-end was 9.8% (31 December 2023: 4.7%) reflecting our typical
profile of higher debt drawings in the middle of the year and this flexibility
allows us to be dynamic and opportunistic in our approach to achieving our
growth ambitions.
Strategy and Outlook
While there are still uncertainties in the economic outlook for the UK, there
are some encouraging signs that inflationary pressures are easing and interest
rates have started coming down. The new government's proposed reforms of
planning policy and support for economic growth and increased housing delivery
should be positive for the real estate sector, but we are yet to see the
detail.
We continue to see strong demand for our serviced land as well as our energy
efficient Grade A Industrial & Logistics units across our regions. Whilst
affordability challenges continue to weigh on house buyer demand, our sites
are located in more affordable regions and we have a strong track record for
delivering high-quality serviced Residential land which is ready to build on
once acquired.
Harworth is a long-term through-the-cycle business with a significant
landbank, currently capable of delivering 38.8 million sq. ft. of Grade A
Industrial & Logistics space with the potential to create £5 billion of
GDV, as well as 26,639 Residential plots. Our market leading shareholder
returns are driven by long term value creation through management actions
across our developments, such as achieving planning permission, completing
remediation and infrastructure works, or directly developing our own
commercial units. It is our extensive landbank, combined with our specialist
skillset, that enables us to deliver these successful schemes and unlock value
from our land.
As flagged at the outset of my statement, the evolved strategy targets an
Investment Portfolio of £0.9 billion by the end of 2029. This growth will
come predominantly from our controlled near term pipeline of sites and will be
funded from cash generated from our land and property sales supplemented by
our corporate and site specific funding lines. A focus on development may
result in more in-year cyclicality in debt drawings and a larger Investment
Portfolio will provide the opportunity to operate a debt gearing level in line
with the market for that part of the portfolio however we do not anticipate an
overall material shift in our conservative gearing approach.
We will continue to optimise the value from our portfolio and expect to
continue to maintain high single to low double digit total returns in the
medium term. We expect this strategy will enable us to announce increased
dividends as recurring income grows thereby optimising shareholder returns.
As the Investment Portfolio grows in scale, we would expect Strategic Land to
make up a smaller proportion of our portfolio compared to its proportion
today. We will continue to make acquisitions of land to contribute to our
pipeline and enable us to continue to deliver high-quality development schemes
and we anticipate that by 2029 Industrial & Logistics will be 85% of our
total land and property portfolio.
Our extensive consented pipeline enables growth in direct development,
accelerated in the outer years of the plan, and we are well positioned as we
enter the second phase of our growth strategy to reach £1 billion EPRA NDV by
the end of 2027.
Strategic pillar 2024 Progress((9)) 2027 Target Strategy evolution
1. Increasing direct development of Industrial & Logistics space 0.1 million sq. ft. complete and pre-let, 0.5 million sq. ft. in development 0.8 million sq. ft. Continue to focus on increasing direct development of Industrial &
or expected to start in the next 12 months and 2.2 million sq. ft. being
Logistics Grade A units, building more on balance sheet to grow the Investment
enabled for future development developed on average Portfolio
per year
2. Accelerating sales and broadening the range of Residential products Residential land sales for 489 plots completed 2,000 plots sold Focus on acceleration, driving returns and providing a self-generating source
of funding for direct development
on average per year
3. Scaling up land acquisitions and promotion Maintained 12-15 year land supply Maintain a land supply Continue to maintain a land pipeline that enables scale and value creation
through selective acquisitions, including partnerships and capital light
of 12-15 years structures
4. Repositioning Investment Portfolio to modern Grade A 37% of portfolio Grade A Targeting 100% Grade A core Investment Portfolio As well as repositioning to 100% Grade A, also targeting £0.9 billion
Investment Portfolio by the end of 2029 to provide increased recurring
earnings and optimise future shareholder return
Finally, and importantly, Harworth cannot consistently deliver the progress
that we do without our people and I would like to thank all of my colleagues
who work collaboratively across the business and with our external
stakeholders, to ensure we continue to be successful. The progress that we
have made so far this year is a testament to their dedication, determination,
specialist skills, and teamwork, and it is those attributes that enable
Harworth to achieve our long term strategic goals and create value for our
shareholders.
(6) A full description and reconciliation of the APMs is included in Note 2 to the
condensed consolidated interim financial statements and the appendix
(7) Source: CBRE's Q2 Logistics Market report
(8) Source: JLL UK Big Box Industrial & Logistics Market Update
(9) As at the reporting date
Lynda Shillaw
Chief Executive
12 September 2024
Operational Review
For the six months ended 30 June 2024
Industrial & Logistics Land portfolio
At 30 June 2024, the Industrial & Logistics pipeline totalled 38.8 million
sq. ft. (31 December 2023: 37.7 million sq. ft.), of which 8.1 million sq. ft.
was consented (31 December 2023: 6.1 million sq. ft.), and 7.9 million sq. ft.
was in the planning system awaiting determination (31 December 2023: 10.1
million sq. ft.). The pipeline was 58% owned freehold, 38% controlled via
options, and 4% controlled via PPAs or other.
Planning progress
During the period, planning approval was secured for 1.8 million sq. ft. of
Industrial & Logistics space across two sites, with a further 1.5 million
sq. ft. achieving outline planning consent post period end. Sites continued to
move through the planning system with allocations received for 3.5 million sq.
ft. in the North West under the Places for Everyone Greater Manchester Spatial
Framework and draft allocations for 2.3 million sq. ft. in the Midlands.
Two significant planning applications currently remain in the system awaiting
determination, totalling 6.4 million sq. ft.
Direct development
As at 30 June 2024, 0.6 million sq. ft. of Grade A space was in development or
expected to start in the next 12 months, post period end 0.1 million sq. ft.
reached practical completion and a further 0.1 million sq. ft. is expected to
complete in the next 12 months. The units will all be delivered to Harworth's
sustainable commercial building specification, targeting EPC A and BREEAM
Excellent certifications, with whole life carbon assessments and renewable
energy provision incorporated into the design.
Enabling works are currently underway for 2.2 million sq. ft. of direct
development on several Major Development sites, plus further enabling works
underway at Skelton Grange in relation to the Microsoft serviced land sale.
Land sales
In June, 48 acres of Industrial & Logistics land was conditionally sold
for £106.6 million, with pricing significantly ahead of book value.
Acquisitions
0.5 million sq. ft. of Industrial & Logistics Strategic Land was secured
for £0.1 million, the land is controlled via an Option agreement. In
addition, the freehold ownership at Cinderhill has increased with the
acquisition of 25 acres of land, this enables the delivery of the wider scheme
that includes Industrial & Logistics space.
Residential Land portfolio
At 30 June 2024, the Residential pipeline totalled 26,639 plots (31 December
2023: 27,190 plots), of which 5,445 plots were consented (31 December 2023:
5,296 plots), and 2,454 plots were in the planning system awaiting
determination (31 December 2023: 1,774 plots). Development continues to
progress on the first mixed tenure sites sold by way of forward funding
agreements. The pipeline was 48% owned freehold, with the remainder controlled
via options, PPAs or other.
Planning progress
During the period, planning approval was secured for 500 residential plots
under a PPA agreement. An allocation was received for 600 homes in the North
West and a draft allocation was secured for the mixed-use Diseworth site in
the East Midlands for 2,275 homes.
Six significant planning applications currently remain in the system awaiting
determination, totalling 2,269 plots.
Land sales
Completed 357 plot sales of serviced land for proceeds of £24.0 million, in
line with December 2023 book values, and a further 132 plots post period end.
At the reporting date, 114% of budgeted residential land sales for the year
completed, exchanged or in heads of terms.
Acquisitions
During the period, the Group increased the freehold ownership at Cinderhill
with the acquisition of 25 acres of land, which enables the delivery of the
wider scheme that includes Residential serviced land.
Post period end, the Group acquired a former brickworks site in Bedfordshire
for total consideration of £30.6 million payable over 2 years. This is a near
term site which has outline planning permission for the delivery of 1,000
homes, offering the opportunity to create value and generate cash to fund the
broader direct development programme.
Investment Portfolio
This portfolio comprises both Industrial & Logistics assets that have been
acquired by Harworth and, increasingly, those that have been directly
developed and retained. It provides recurring rental income in addition to
asset management opportunities and the potential for capital value growth.
As at 30 June 2024, the Investment Portfolio comprised 11 sites covering 2.5
million sq. ft. (31 December 2023: 11 sites covering 2.5 million sq. ft.). It
generated £14.4 million of annualised rent (31 December 2023: £14.1
million), equating to a gross yield of 6.2% (31 December 2023: 6.3%) and a net
initial yield of 5.9% (31 December 2023: 5.7%). Annualised rent for the
portfolio increased during the period as a result of recent lettings secured.
Grade A space represented 37% of the Investment Portfolio (31 December 2023:
37%).
Completions and acquisitions
Of the 0.1 million sq. ft. of Industrial & Logistics Grade A space
completed post-period end and the 0.1 million sq. ft. expected to complete in
the 12 months, 84% is expected to be retained to the Group's Investment
Portfolio and is anticipated to generate additional annualised rental income
of £1.7 million.
Lettings
During the period, 47,000 sq. ft. of leasing deals were completed (H1 2023:
300,000 sq. ft.), adding a net £0.3 million of annualised rent. New lettings,
renewals and reviews were completed at an average 0.7% premium to estimated
rental values (ERV).
Across the Investment Portfolio, operational metrics remain robust. The
portfolio weighted average rent is £6.20 per sq. ft. (31 December 2023:
£5.75) and rent collection currently stands at 98% for the year to date (31
December 23: 98%). EPRA vacancy was 6.3% at 30 June 2024 (31 December 2023:
9.9%), reduced to 3.9% excluding space completed in the preceding 12 months
(31 December 2023: 1.2%); while the weighted average unexpired lease term
(WAULT) was 11.8 years (31 December 2023: 12.9 years).
Natural Resources Land portfolio
Harworth's Natural Resources portfolio comprises sites used by occupiers for a
wide range of energy production and extraction purposes, including wind and
solar energy schemes and battery storage as part of the Group's Energy &
Natural Capital strategy. The aim is to grow this portfolio, alongside
strategic partners where appropriate, through developing renewable energy
generation solutions and other sustainability initiatives such as battery
storage, solar, EV charging, multi-fuel hubs and reforestation/rewilding. The
strategy has a wider focus on embedding these energy concepts and
future-proofing principles across all of Harworth's sites to maximise energy
availability and resilience, create economic value, and help fulfil the
Group's Net Zero Carbon (NZC) ambitions.
As at 30 June 2024, the Natural Resources portfolio had an annualised rental
income of £2.1 million (31 December 2023: £1.8 million).
Net Zero Carbon Pathway
In 2022, the Group committed to becoming NZC for Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3
business travel emissions by 2030 and to being NZC for all emissions by 2040.
To meet these objectives, the Group has developed a NZC pathway and embedded
commitments into a range of workstreams and targets to guide the Group's
growth strategy in the development of Industrial & Logistics and
Residential sites.
Further information on The Harworth Way and the Group's NZC pathway can be
found within the 2023 Annual Report and standalone 2023 NZC Pathway Progress
Report, which were both published in April 2024.
Financial Review
For the six months ended 30 June 2024
Overview
Our first half financial performance delivered a Total Return (the movement in
EPRA NDV((10)) plus dividends per share paid in the period expressed as a
percentage of opening EPRA NDV per share) of 4.0% (H1 2023: 0.1%)
demonstrating continued consistent value creation. Positive revaluation gains
achieved across the portfolio, including the conditional sale at Skelton
Grange to Microsoft announced in June 2024 and planning progress in the
period, were partially offset by net operating costs, interest costs, tax and
dividends, driving EPRA NDV growth to 212.3p per share (31 December 2023:
205.1p).
Sales of serviced land and property, in addition to development management
revenues and income from rent, royalties and fees, resulted in Group revenue
of £41.3 million during the period (H1 2023: £18.2 million). Looking
forward, the sales profile is robust, with 145% of 2024 budgeted sales already
completed, exchanged or in heads of terms at the time of reporting (H1 2023:
98%).
Successful asset management initiatives on the Investment Portfolio delivered
a like-for-like increase in annualised rental income of 2.4%.
The fair value of investment properties increased by £26.7 million (H1 2023:
£15.0 million increase), which contributed to an underlying operating profit
of £21.1 million (H1 2023: £8.0 million) and profit after tax of £14.8
million (H1 2023: £2.8 million).
The Group has declared an interim dividend of 0.489p (H1 2023: 0.444p) per
share, representing a 10% growth from H1 2023, in line with our existing
dividend policy.
BNP Paribas and Savills, our independent valuers, completed a desktop
valuation of our portfolio as at 30 June 2024, resulting in first half
valuation gains((10)) of £46.6 million (H1 2023: £11.1 million gains),
including the movement in the market value of development properties. These
gains were the result of management actions including progress on development
sites, obtaining planning permissions, progressing direct development schemes
and asset management initiatives, against the backdrop of a relatively stable
market. However, the revaluation gains were partially offset by continued
increases in costs to deliver our sites, predominantly driven by services
inflation. Beyond valuation movements, profits on sales, after adjusting for
selling costs and an increase in the estimate of shared infrastructure costs
attributable to prior period sales, were £0.4 million (H1 2023: loss of £3.5
million) demonstrating continued demand for sites in line with December 2023
book values. This gave total value gains of £47.0 million (H1 2023: £7.5
million) in the period.
Over the period, net asset value grew to £650.0 million (31 December 2023:
£637.7 million). With EPRA adjustments for development property valuations
included, EPRA NDV at 30 June 2024 increased to £687.0 million (31 December
2023: £662.9 million) representing a per share increase of 3.5% to 212.3p (31
December 2023: 205.1p).
The Group remains well capitalised and as at 30 June 2024 had available
liquidity of £154.2 million (31 December 2023: £192.2 million). Net debt was
£80.5 million (31 December 2023: £36.4 million), reflecting the typical
profile of higher drawdowns mid-year, resulting in a net loan to portfolio
value at 30 June 2024 of 9.8% (31 December 2023: 4.7%), well below our maximum
target of 20%. At period end, 25% of the Group's drawn debt was subject to
fixed rates (31 December 2023: 35%). We currently do not have interest rate
hedging in place against drawings under our Revolving Credit Facility (RCF),
although this continues to remain under review.
(10) A full description and reconciliation of the APMs is included in Note 2 to the
condensed consolidated interim financial statements and the appendix
Presentation of financial information
As our property portfolio includes development properties and joint venture
arrangements, Alternative Performance Measures (APMs) can provide valuable
insight into our business alongside statutory measures. In particular,
revaluation gains on development properties are not recognised in the
Consolidated Income Statement and the Balance Sheet. The APMs outlined below
measure movements in development property revaluations, overages and joint
ventures. We believe that these APMs assist in providing stakeholders with
additional useful disclosure on the underlying trends, performance and
position of the Group.
Our key APMs are:
· Total Return: the movement in EPRA NDV plus dividends per share paid in the
period expressed as a percentage of opening EPRA NDV per share.
· EPRA NDV per share: EPRA NDV aims to represent shareholder value under an
orderly sale of the business, where deferred tax, financial instruments and
certain other adjustments are calculated to the full extent of their liability
net of any resulting tax. EPRA NDV per share is EPRA NDV divided by the number
of shares in issue at the end of the period (less shares held by the Employee
Benefit Trust or Equiniti Share Plan Trustees Limited to satisfy Restricted
Share Plan and Share Incentive Plan awards.)
· Value gains: the realised profits from the sales of properties and unrealised
profits from property valuation movements including joint ventures, and the
mark-to-market movement on development properties and overages.
· Net loan to portfolio value: Group debt net of cash held expressed as a
percentage of portfolio value.
A full description of all non-statutory measures and reconciliations between
all statutory and non-statutory measures are provided in Note 2 to the
condensed consolidated interim financial statements and the appendix.
Our financial reporting is aligned to our business units of Capital Growth and
Income Generation, with items which are not directly allocated to specific
business activities held centrally and presented separately.
Income statement
H1 2024 H1 2023
Capital growth Income generation Central overheads Total Capital growth Income generation Central overheads Total
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Revenue 31.1 10.3 - 41.3 4.3 13.9 - 18.2
Cost of sales (31.5) (2.6) - (34.1) (6.1) (3.5) - (9.6)
Gross profit (0.5) 7.7 - 7.2 (1.8) 10.4 - 8.6
Administrative expenses (3.2) (1.4) (12.2) (16.8) (2.2) (2.3) (9.8) (14.3)
Other gains 23.2 7.5 - 30.7 12.5 1.3 - 13.8
Operating profit/(loss) 19.6 13.8 (12.3) 21.1 8.5 9.4 (9.8) 8.0
Share of (loss)/profit of JVs (0.7) 1.1 - 0.4 (0.9) 0.1 - (0.8)
Net interest credit/(expense) 0.7 - (3.5) (2.8) 0.3 - (3.1) (2.8)
Profit/(loss) before tax 19.6 14.9 (15.8) 18.7 7.9 9.5 (12.9) 4.5
Tax charge - - (3.9) (3.9) - - (1.6) (1.6)
Profit/(loss) after tax 19.6 14.9 (19.7) 14.8 7.9 9.5 (14.5) 2.8
Note: There are minor differences on some totals due to roundings.
Capital Growth revenue, which primarily relates to the sale of development
properties, increased during the period as a result of the serviced land sales
at Ironbridge, Simpson Park and Waverley. Where consideration relating to
development property sales is deferred, a reduction to revenue is made to
reflect the imputed interest element, with revenue recognised as interest
income in future periods; this resulted in a £2.0 million downward adjustment
to revenue during this period (H1 2023: £nil). H1 2024 also saw revenues
generated from build-to-suit development of £6.9 million (H1 2023: £nil).
Revenue from the Income Generation portfolio (the Investment Portfolio,
Natural Resources and Agriculture) mainly comprises property rental and
royalty income. At £10.3 million it was lower than the same period in the
prior year (H1 2023: £13.9 million), reflecting the full period impact of
successful Investment Portfolio sales during 2023. Revenue from the Income
Generation portfolio for the first half included the impact of new lettings
related to direct development and asset management initiatives, as well as
royalties from energy assets. Rental income from the Investment Portfolio
increased on an annualised basis from £14.1 million at 31 December 2023 to
£14.4 million, reflecting asset management initiatives across the portfolio.
On a like for like basis, rent grew by 2.4%.
Cost of sales comprises the inventory cost of development property sales and
both the direct and recoverable service charge costs of the Income Generation
business. Cost of sales increased to £34.1 million (H1 2023: £9.6 million),
of which £24.8 million related to the inventory cost of development property
sales (H1 2023: £5.3 million). H1 2024 also included additional costs related
to build-to-suit development. In the period, we saw a small decrease in the
net realisable value provision on development properties of £0.7 million (H1
2023: £0.3 million increase) following the valuation process as at 30 June
2024 which reflected the impact of management actions across development
sites.
Administrative expenses increased in the period by £2.4 million (H1 2023:
£3.4 million increase). This included the impact of increased employee
numbers as well as the impact of inflationary cost increases and costs
incurred in relation to strategic workstreams. Administrative expenses
expressed as a percentage of underlying revenue over the 12 months to 30 June
2024 was 21%, increasing from 14% for the 12 months to 30 June 2023,
reflecting the increases in costs as well as the timing of revenue generating
activity.
Other gains comprised a £26.5 million combined net increase (H1 2023: £14.8
million) in the fair value of investment properties and assets held for sale
(AHFS) and profit on sale of overages of £4.2 million (H1 2023: £nil) in
addition to the profit on sale of investment properties and AHFS of £0.1
million including transaction fees (H1 2023: loss on sale of £1.1 million).
Non-statutory value gains/(losses)
Value gains/(losses) are made up of profit/(loss) on sale, revaluation
gains/(losses) on investment properties (including joint ventures), and
revaluation gains/(losses) on development properties, AHFS and overages. A
reconciliation between statutory and non-statutory value gains can be found in
the appendix to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements.
H1 2024 H1 2023 30 June 2024 31 December 2023
Capital growth Category Profit/ Reval. gains/ (losses) Total Profit on sale Reval. gains/ (losses) Total Total valuation Total valuation
£m (loss) on sale
Residential Major Developments Development 0.3 9.2 9.5 (2.3) (2.2) (4.5) 220.2 210.5
Industrial & Logistics Major Developments Mixed (0.2) 6.7 6.5 (0.2) (2.3) (2.5) 162.1 136.0
Residential Strategic Land Investment 0.2 3.3 3.5 (0.1) 3.3 3.2 55.7 51.6
Industrial & Logistics Strategic Land Investment 0.2 18.6 18.8 - 9.9 9.9 123.6 105.9
H1 2024 H1 2023 30 June 2024 31 December 2023
Income generation Category Profit/ Reval. gains/ (losses) Total Profit on sale Reval. gains/ (losses) Total Total valuation Total valuation
£m (loss) on sale
Investment Portfolio Investment - 8.2 8.2 (0.9) 2.5 1.6 231.2 221.4
Natural Resources Investment - 0.2 0.2 - (0.2) (0.2) 21.1 21.6
Agricultural Land Investment (0.1) 0.4 0.3 - 0.1 0.1 7.9 21.1
Profit on sale of £0.4 million (H1 2023: £3.5 million loss), after adjusting
for selling costs and an increase in the estimate of shared infrastructure
costs attributable to prior period sales, reflected the completion of sales in
line with December 2023 book values. Revaluation gains were £46.6 million (H1
2023: £11.1 million) and are outlined in the table below.
H1 2024 H1 2023
£m £m
Increase in fair value of investment properties 26.7 15.0
Decrease in fair value of assets held for sale (0.2) (0.2)
Movement in net realisable value provision on development properties (0.3) (0.3)
Contribution to statutory operating profit 26.2 14.6
Share of profit/(loss) of joint ventures 0.4 (0.8)
Unrealised gains/(losses) on development properties and overages((11)) 20.0 (2.7)
Total non-statutory revaluation gains 46.6 11.1
The principal revaluation gains and losses across the divisions reflected the
following:
Industrial & Logistics
Against a relatively stable Industrial & Logistics market during the first
half of 2024, revaluation gains were driven by management actions to progress
strategies across sites. This included progress on serviced land sales, most
notably exchanging contracts for the conditional sale at Skelton Grange to
Microsoft, as well as significant planning progress in the period with
permission achieved for 1.8 million sq. ft. alongside new draft allocations or
allocations in local plans for 5.7 million sq. ft. Occupier demand remained
resilient and market rents across our sites were up. Costs of construction
increases over the period continued to impact gains, but at a lower rate
compared to 2023 with the highest increases predominantly relating to
professional service costs. Combined, this resulted in revaluation gains of
£25.3 million across Industrial & Logistics Major Developments and
Strategic Land (H1 2023: £7.6 million).
Investment Portfolio gains of £8.2 million (H1 2023: £2.5 million) reflected
the impact of our management actions such as new leases on recently completed
direct development alongside the impact of market rental growth. Overall,
these impacts resulted in the net initial yield increasing 20 bps to 5.9% from
5.7% as at 31 December 2023. The equivalent yield decreased from 7.1% to 7.0%.
Residential
Residential land sales continued to demonstrate demand for our serviced land
product and underpinned valuations with our Residential Major Developments
realising gains of £9.2 million (H1 2023: losses of £2.2 million). The
Residential market has seen some mild improvement with Nationwide reporting UK
annualised price increases of 1.5% for the 12 months to June with the Northern
England markets in which Harworth operates showing higher growth supported by
higher affordability. Supply of high-quality serviced land remains constrained
with demand growing from a range of housebuilders. As we saw with Industrial
& Logistics development sites, costs of construction increased over the
period, predominantly related to professional services costs, partly
offsetting the impact of positive house price movements and demand for land.
Residential strategic land gains of £3.3 million (H1 2023: £3.3 million)
reflected planning progress on sites with new draft allocations or allocations
in local plans for 2,875 plots achieved during the period.
Natural Resources
Valuations remained broadly consistent during the period.
Agricultural
We experienced a small valuation increase on retained properties as a result
of improving agricultural land prices. The reduction in the portfolio value
from 31 December 2023 reflects a £13.3 million sale, in line with book value.
Net realisable value provision
The net realisable value provision on development properties as at 30 June
2024 was £13.4 million (31 December 2023: £14.1 million). This provision is
held to reduce the value of seven development properties from their deemed
cost (the fair value at which they were transferred from an investment to a
development categorisation) to their net realisable value at 30 June 2024. The
transfer from investment to development property takes place once planning is
secured and development with a view to sale has commenced.
(11) A full description and reconciliation of the APMs is included in Note 2 to the
condensed consolidated interim financial statements and the appendix
Cash and sales
The Group made property sales((12)) in the period of £41.7 million (H1 2023:
£56.2 million), realising a total profit on sale of £0.4 million (H1 2023:
loss of £3.5 million). Sales comprised residential development sales of
£24.0 million (H1 2023: £4.0 million) and receipts through overages of £4.2
million (H1 2023: £nil). Disposals of income-generating sites where value has
already been maximised through asset management initiatives were £13.3
million (H1 2023: £52.2 million).
Cash proceeds from sales in the period were £30.0 million (H1 2023: £58.2
million) as shown in the table below:
H1 2024 H1 2023
£m £m
Total property sales((12)) 41.7 56.2
Less deferred consideration on sales in the period (13.6) (1.0)
Add receipt of deferred consideration from sales in prior years 1.9 3.0
Total cash proceeds 30.0 58.2
(12) A full description and reconciliation of the APMs is included in Note 2 to the
condensed consolidated interim financial statements and the appendix
Tax
The income statement charge for taxation for the period was £3.9 million (H1
2023: £1.6 million), which comprised a current year tax charge of £nil (H1
2023: £0.3 million) and a deferred tax charge of £3.9 million (H1 2023:
£1.3 million).
The current tax charge reflects the timing of sales activity, coupled with
administrative costs and interest offsetting trading profits during the
period. The increase in deferred tax largely relates to unrealised gains on
investment properties. The deferred tax balance has been calculated based on
the rate expected to apply on the date the liability is reversed.
At 30 June 2024, the Group had deferred tax liabilities of £37.0 million (31
December 2023: £30.6 million) and deferred tax assets of £3.3 million (31
December 2023: £0.5 million). The net deferred tax liability was £33.7
million (31 December 2023: £30.1 million).
Basic earnings per share and dividends
Basic earnings per share for the period increased to 4.6p (H1 2023: 0.9p)
reflecting valuation gains on the land and property portfolio in H1 2024, as
well as increased revenue from land sales compared to H1 2023.
The Board has determined to pay an interim dividend of 0.489p (H1 2023:
0.444p) per share, an increase of 10% in line with the Group's policy.
Property categorisation
Until sites receive planning permission and their future use has been
determined, our view is that the land is held for a currently undetermined
future use and should, therefore, be held as investment property. We
categorise properties and land that have received planning permission, and
where development with a view to sale has commenced, as development
properties.
As at 30 June 2024, the balance sheet value of all our development properties
was £250.5 million (31 December 2023: £250.0 million) and their independent
valuation by BNP Paribas was £294.5 million, reflecting a £44.0 million
cumulative uplift in value since they were classified as development
properties. In order to highlight the market value of development properties,
and overages, and to be consistent with how we state our investment
properties, we use EPRA NDV((13)), which includes the market value of
development properties and overages less notional deferred tax, as our primary
net assets metric.
(13) A full description and reconciliation of the APMs is included in Note 2 to the
condensed consolidated interim financial statements and the appendix
Net asset value
As at As at As at
30 June 2024 30 June 2023 31 December 2023
£m £m £m
Properties 772.5 700.3 734.8
Cash 9.2 8.5 27.2
Trade and other receivables 68.9 57.3 48.6
Other assets 15.9 14.2 13.8
Total assets 866.5 780.3 824.4
Gross borrowings (89.7) (72.1) (63.6)
Deferred tax liability (33.7) (25.5) (30.1)
Other liabilities (93.1) (79.6) (93.0)
Statutory net assets 650.0 603.1 637.7
Mark to market value adjustment on development properties and overages less 37.0 28.1 25.2
notional deferred tax
EPRA NDV((14)) 687.0 631.2 662.9
Number of shares in issue less Employee Benefit Trust & Equiniti Share 323,592,468 322,612,685 323,154,373
Plan Trustees Limited-held shares
EPRA NDV per share((14)) 212.3p 195.7p 205.1p
(14) A full description and reconciliation of the APMs is included in Note 2 to the
condensed consolidated interim financial statements and the appendix
EPRA NDV((15)) at 30 June 2024 was £687.0 million (31 December 2023: £662.9
million), which includes the mark-to-market adjustment on the value of the
development properties and overages. The total portfolio value as at 30 June
2024 was £821.9 million, an increase of £53.7 million from 31 December 2023.
The Group's share of profits from joint ventures of £0.4 million (H1 2023:
£0.8 million loss) resulted in investments in joint ventures increasing to
£32.3 million (31 December 2023: £30.7 million). Trade and other receivables
include deferred consideration on sales as set out previously. At 30 June
2024, deferred consideration of £41.7 million was outstanding (31 December
2023: £28.1 million), of which 39% is due within one year.
The table below sets out ten of our key sites:
Site Site type Categorisation in balance sheet Region Progress
Skelton Grange Major Development / Strategic Land Development Yorkshire & Central 1.1m sq. ft of Industrial & Logistics space consented and conditionally
exchanged with Microsoft
Waverley AMP Investment Portfolio / Major Development Investment Yorkshire & Central 2.1m sq. ft. of Industrial & Logistics space consented, 1.7m built and
retained or sold, 0.4m under or pending construction
South East Coalville Major Development Development Midlands 2,016 Residential units consented, land sold representing 977 units
Benthall Grange, Ironbridge Major Development Development Midlands 1,000 Residential units consented, land sold representing 312 units, further
enabling works underway
Bardon Investment Portfolio Investment Midlands N/A - property is let
Nufarm Investment Portfolio Investment Yorkshire & Central N/A - property is let
Ansty Strategic Land Investment Midlands Proposed Industrial & Logistics site, held under option by a 3(rd) party,
planning submitted
Chatterley Valley Major Development Development North West 1.2m sq. ft. of Industrial & Logistics space consented, enabling works
progressing
Wingates Major Development / Strategic Land Investment North West Up to 1m sq. ft. of Industrial & Logistics space consented on Phase 1 and
enabling works started, wider scheme allocated for commercial use under
Greater Manchester's Places for Everyone
Knowsley Investment Portfolio Investment North West N/A - property is let
(15) A full description and reconciliation of the APMs is included in Note 2 to the
condensed consolidated interim financial statements and the appendix
Financing strategy
Harworth's financing strategy is to remain prudently geared. The core Income
Generation portfolio provides a recurring income source to service debt
facilities and this is supplemented by proceeds from sales. The Group has an
established sales track record that has been built up since re-listing in
2015.
To deliver its strategic plan, the Group has adopted a target net loan to
portfolio value((16)) at year-end of below 20%, with a maximum of 25% in-year.
As a principle, the Group will seek to maintain its cash flows in balance by
funding the majority of infrastructure expenditure through disposal proceeds,
while allowing for growth in the portfolio.
The Group intends to continue to use development and infrastructure loans
alongside its RCF to support its growth strategy.
(16) A full description and reconciliation of the APMs is included in Note 2 to the
condensed consolidated interim financial statements and the appendix
Debt facilities
The Group has a £200 million RCF, together with a £40 million uncommitted
accordion option, which was entered into in 2022. The RCF is provided by
NatWest, Santander and HSBC and is aligned to the Group's strategy, providing
significant liquidity and flexibility to enable us to pursue our strategic
ambitions. The interest rate on the RCF is based on a loan-to-value ratchet
mechanism with a margin payable above SONIA in the range of 2.25% to 2.50%.
The Group has no major refinancing requirements until 2027.
As part of its funding structure, the Group also uses infrastructure financing
provided by public bodies and site-specific direct development loans to
promote the development of major sites and bring forward the development of
Industrial & Logistics units.
The Group had borrowings and loans of £89.7 million at 30 June 2024 (31
December 2023: £63.6 million; 30 June 2023: £72.1 million), being the RCF
drawn balance (net of capitalised loan fees) of £54.0 million (31 December
2023: £33.8 million; 30 June 2023: £43.7 million) and infrastructure or
direct development loans (net of capitalised loan fees) of £35.7 million (31
December 2023: £29.7 million; 30 June 2023: £28.4 million). The Group's cash
balances at 30 June 2024 were £9.2 million (31 December 2023: £27.2 million;
30 June 2023: £8.5 million). The resulting net debt was £80.5 million (31
December 2023: £36.4 million; 30 June 2023: £63.7 million).
Net debt((17)) increased with property expenditure, acquisitions and operating
costs partly offset by the completion of serviced land and property sales. The
movements in net debt over the period are shown below:
H1 2024 H1 2023
£m £m
Opening net debt as at 1 January (36.4) (48.4)
Cash outflow from operations (32.8) (22.4)
Property expenditure and acquisitions (21.1) (28.8)
Disposal of investment property, AHFS and overages 17.5 50.5
Net investment in joint ventures (1.2) -
Interest and loan arrangement fees (2.2) (2.1)
Dividends paid (3.3) (3.0)
Tax paid (0.2) (8.5)
Other cash and non-cash movements (0.8) (1.0)
Closing net debt as at 30 June (80.5) (63.7)
The weighted average cost of the Group's debt, using the average debt balance
in the preceding 12 months and the average rates as at 30 June 2024, was 6.94%
with a 0.9% non-utilisation fee on undrawn RCF amounts (31 December 2023:
6.88% with a 0.9% non-utilisation fee; 30 June 2023: 6.19% with a 0.9%
non-utilisation fee). The weighted average term of drawn debt is now 2.4 years
(31 December 2023: 2.9 years; 30 June 2023: 2.9 years).
The Group's hedging strategy to manage its exposure to interest rate risk is
to hedge the lower of around half its average debt during the year or its net
debt((17)) balance at year-end. At 30 June 2024, 25% (31 December 2023: 35%)
of the Group's drawn debt, reflecting 27% of net debt (31 December 2023: 62%),
was subject to fixed rate interest rates with no hedging instruments in place
on the remaining floating rate debt. Projected drawn debt and hedging
requirements remain under active review with any new hedging to be aligned to
future net debt requirements.
As at 30 June 2024, the Group's gross loan to portfolio value((17)) was 10.9%
(31 December 2023: 8.3%; 30 June 2023: 9.8%) and its net loan to portfolio
value was 9.8% (31 December 2023: 4.7%; 30 June 2023: 8.6%). If gearing is
assessed against the value of the core Income Generation Portfolio (the
Investment Portfolio and Natural Resources portfolio) only, this equates to a
gross loan to core Income Generation portfolio value of 38.3% (31 December
2023: 27.9%; 30 June 2023: 31.7%) and a net loan to core Income Generation
portfolio value of 34.4% (31 December 2023: 15.9%; 30 June 2023: 28.0%). Under
the RCF, the Group could withstand a material fall in portfolio value,
property sales or rental income before reaching covenant levels.
At 30 June 2024, undrawn capacity under the RCF was £145.0 million (31
December 2023: £165.0 million; 30 June 2023: £155.0 million). Going
forwards, the RCF, alongside selected use of infrastructure loans where
appropriate, will continue to provide the Group with sufficient liquidity to
execute our growth strategy.
(17) A full description and reconciliation of the APMs is included in Note 2 to the
condensed consolidated interim financial statements and the appendix
Kitty Patmore
Chief Financial Officer
12 September 2024
Appendix 1: Supplementary operational information
1.1 Top Industrial & Logistics sites (as at 30 June 2024)
Name Location Sold or developed / consented / non-consented Total development at completion (m sq. ft) Estimated potential GDV Forecast completion date
(m sq. ft.) (£m)
Skelton Leeds, West Yorkshire 0.0m / 1.1m / 0.3m 1.4m Confidential to 2027
AMP Rotherham, South Yorkshire 1.7m / 0.4m / 0.0m 2.1m £55m - £65m to 2027
Chatterley Valley Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire 0.0m / 1.2m / 0.0m 1.2m £150m - £160m to 2027
Gascoigne Wood Sherburn-in-Elmet, North Yorkshire 0.0m / 1.5m / 0.5m 2.0m £190m - £200m to 2028
Rothwell Rothwell, Northamptonshire 0.0m / 0.0m / 1.8m 1.8m £290m - £310m to 2028
Wingates Bolton, Greater Manchester 0.0m / 1.0m / 1.5m 2.5m £320m - £370m to 2030
Junction 15, M1 Northampton, Northamptonshire 0.0m / 0.0m / 1.6m 1.6m £235m - £260m to 2030
Gateway 36 Barnsley, South Yorkshire 0.4m / 0.6m / 0.5m 1.5m £130m - £150m to 2033
Northern Gateway Greater Manchester 0.0m / 0.0m / 2.5m 2.5m Confidential 2026 - 2035
North Yorks Site Selby, North Yorkshire 0.0m / 0.0m / 3.0m 3.0m £290m - £340m to 2040
1.2 Top Residential sites (as at 30 June 2024)
Name Location Sold or developed / consented / non-consented Total development at completion (plots) Forecast completion date
(plots)
Waverley Rotherham, South Yorkshire 2,578 /415 / 0 2,993 2025
Moss Nook St Helens, Merseyside 256 /660 / 0 916 2026
Simpson Park Harworth, Nottinghamshire 733 / 731 / 0 1,464 2027
Thoresby Edwinstowe, Newark and Sherwood 650 / 150 / 190 990 2027
Pheasant Hill Park Doncaster, South Yorkshire 645 / 555 / 206 1,406 2028
Benthall Grange, Ironbridge Ironbridge, Shropshire 312 / 688 / 0 1,000 2030
South East Coalville Coalville, Leicestershire 977 / 1,039 / 0 2,016 2031
Huyton Knowsley, Merseyside 0 / 0 / 1,500 1,500 2033
Diseworth West North West Leicestershire 0 / 0 / 2,275 2,275 2035
Cinderhill Denby, Derbyshire 0 / 150 / 1,350 1,500 2039
Appendix 2: Key performance indicators
2.1 Financial track record
KPI H1 2024 result H1 2023 result FY 2023 result H1 2024 performance commentary
Total Return (%)((18))
Growth in EPRA NDV during the year in addition to dividends paid, as a 4.0% 0.1% 5.1% Our total return of 4.0% was the result of a 3.5% increase in EPRA NDV during
proportion of EPRA NDV at the beginning of the year. the year, as well as the payment of a 1.022p dividend.
EPRA Net Disposal Value ('NDV') per share((18))
AEuropean Public Real Estate Association ("EPRA") metric that represents a 212.3p 195.7p 205.1p The increase was driven by management actions, including progressing sales and
net asset valuation where development property is included at fair value planning activity within a relatively stable market backdrop.
rather than cost and deferred tax, financial instruments and other adjustments
as set out in Note 2 and the appendix to the financial statements, are
calculated to the full extent of their liability.
Net asset value((18))
The value of our assets less the value of our liabilities, based on IFRS £650.0 million £603.1 million £637.7 million Net asset value increased as a result of crystalising valuation gains in
measures, which excludes the mark-to-market value of development properties. investment properties.
Net loan to portfolio value ('LTV')((18))
Net debt as a proportion of the aggregate value of properties and investments. 9.8% 8.6% 4.7% Our LTV increased during the period in line with the timing of development and
sales activity, with LTV remaining well within our target of less than 25%
within year as we continued to manage carefully our levels of net debt.
(18) A full description and reconciliation of the APMs is included in Note 2 to the
condensed consolidated interim financial statements and the appendix
Principal risks and uncertainties
A detailed explanation of the Group's risk management framework, the principal
risks and uncertainties affecting the Group and the steps it takes to mitigate
these risks, can be found on pages 48 to 60 of the Annual Report and Financial
Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 (the "2023 Annual Report"),
available at harworthgroup.com/investors/
(http://www.harworthgroup.com/investors/) .
The Board has assessed the principal and emerging risks facing the Group and
considers that there have been no material changes to the risks set out in the
2023 Annual Report.
In light of the recent change in the UK Government and political landscape,
though changes are not expected in the short term, the Board is closely
monitoring the following principal risks: Planning, Statutory costs of
development, Residential and Commercial markets, and Availability of and
competition for strategic sites. A detailed update on all principal risks will
be provided in the Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending
31 December 2024.
Directors' Responsibilities statement
For the six months ended 30 June 2024
The Directors who held office at the date of approval of these Financial
Statements confirm that to the best of their knowledge:
1. the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements have been prepared in
accordance with the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the
Financial Conduct Authority and in accordance with IAS 34 'Interim Financial
Reporting' as contained in UK-adopted international accounting standards; and
2. the Interim Management Report includes a fair review of the information
required by:
(a) Rule 4.2.7R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being an indication of
important events that have occurred during the six months ended 30 June 2024
and their impact on the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements,
and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining
six months of the financial year; and
(b) Rule 4.2.8R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being related party
transactions that have taken place in the six months ended 30 June 2024 and
that have materially affected the financial position or performance of the
Group during that period, and any changes in the related party transactions
described in the last Annual Report and Financial Statements that could do so.
The Directors who served during the six months ended 30 June 2024 were as
follows:
Alastair Lyons Chair
Lynda Shillaw Chief
Executive
Katerina Patmore Chief Financial Officer
Angela Bromfield Senior Independent Director
Ruth Cooke Independent Non-Executive Director
Lisa Scenna Independent Non-Executive Director
Patrick O'Donnell Bourke Independent Non-Executive Director
Marzia Zafar Independent Non-Executive Director
Steven Underwood Non-Executive Director
Martyn Bowes Non-Executive Director
By order of the Board
Kitty Patmore
Chief Financial Officer
12 September 2024
Cautionary statement
This report for the six months ended 30 June 2024 contains certain
forward-looking statements with respect to the Company's financial condition,
results, operations and business. These statements and forecasts involve
risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend upon
circumstances that will occur in the future. There are factors that could
cause actual results or developments to differ materially from those expressed
or implied by these forward-looking statements and forecasts. Nothing in
this report should be construed as a profit forecast.
Directors' liability
Neither the Company nor the Directors accept any liability to any person in
relation to this report for the six months ended 30 June 2024 except to the
extent that such liability could arise under English law. Accordingly, any
liability to a person who has demonstrated reliance on any untrue or
misleading statement or omission shall be determined in accordance with
section 90A of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.
Shareholder information
Financial calendar
Interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2024 Announced 12 September 2024
Interim dividend for the year ending 31 December 2024 Ex-dividend date 19 September 2024
Record date 20 September 2024
Payable 24 October 2024
Capital Markets Day 2024 Scheduled 22 October 2024
Results for the year ending 31 December 2024 Announced March 2025
Annual report and financial statements for the year ending 31 December 2024 Published April 2025
2025 Annual General Meeting Scheduled May 2025
Final dividend for the year ending 31 December 2024 Payable June 2025
Registrars
All administrative enquiries relating to shareholdings should, in the first
instance, be directed to Equiniti, Aspect House, Spencer Road, Lancing, West
Sussex, BN99 6DA (telephone: 0371 384 2301) and should state clearly the
registered shareholder's name and address.
Dividend mandate
Any shareholder wishing dividends to be paid directly into a bank or building
society should contact the Registrars for a dividend mandate form. Dividends
paid in this way will be paid through the Bankers' Automated Clearing System
("BACS").
Shareview service
The Shareview service from Equiniti allows shareholders to manage their
shareholding online. It gives shareholders direct access to their data held on
the share register, including recent share movements and dividend details and
the ability to change their address or dividend payment instructions online.
To visit the Shareview website, go to shareview.co.uk
(http://www.shareview.co.uk) . There is no charge to register but the
'shareholder reference' printed on proxy forms or dividend stationery will be
required.
Website
Harworth's website (harworthgroup.com (http://www.harworthgroup.com) ) gives
further information on the Group. Detailed information for shareholders can be
found at harworthgroup.com/investors/
(http://www.harworthgroup.com/investors/) .
Consolidated income statement
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months ended
Note
30 June 6 months ended Year ended
2024
30 June
31 December
£'000
2023
2023
£'000
£'000
Revenue 3 41,306 18,237 72,427
Cost of sales 3 (34,110) (9,609) (60,077)
Gross profit 3 7,196 8,628 12,350
Administrative expenses 3 (16,779) (14,349) (27,435)
Other gains 3 30,736 13,774 69,426
Other operating expenses 3 (44) (45) (112)
Operating profit 3 21,109 8,008 54,229
Finance costs 4 (3,614) (3,105) (6,421)
Finance income 4 801 335 445
Share of profit/(loss) of joint ventures (including impairment) 9 430 (773) 1,554
Profit before tax 18,726 4,465 49,807
Tax charge 5 (3,942) (1,618) (11,851)
Profit for the period/year 14,784 2,847 37,956
Earnings per share from operations pence pence pence
Basic 7 4.6 0.9 11.8
Diluted 7 4.5 0.9 11.5
Notes 1 to 16 are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim
financial statements.
All activities are derived from continuing operations.
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months ended 6 months ended Year ended
30 June
30 June
31 December
2024
2023
2023
£'000
£'000
£'000
Profit for the period/year 14,784 2,847 37,956
Other comprehensive (expense)/income - items that will not be reclassified to
profit or loss:
Net actuarial (loss)/gain in Blenkinsopp Pension scheme (123) 86 (10)
Revaluation of Group occupied property (300) (67) (167)
Deferred tax on other comprehensive (expense)/income items - (22) 3
Total other comprehensive expense (423) (3) (174)
Total comprehensive income for the period/year 14,361 2,844 37,782
Consolidated balance sheet
ASSETS Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at
Note
30 June As at As at
30 June
31 December
2024
£'000 2023 2023
£'000
£'000
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment 1,442 1,236 1,670
Right of use assets 463 557 512
Trade and other receivables 23,046 2,735 11,296
Investment properties 8 479,564 430,366 433,942
Investments in joint ventures 9 32,346 29,055 30,722
Retirement benefit asset 938 31 -
537,799 463,980 478,142
Current assets
Inventories 10 264,721 231,304 263,073
Trade and other receivables 47,324 54,538 37,289
Assets held for sale 11 7,491 20,811 18,752
Cash 12 9,207 8,493 27,182
Current tax asset - 1,142 -
328,743 316,288 346,296
Total assets 866,542 780,268 824,438
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Borrowings 13 (35,708) - (29,744)
Trade and other payables (88,485) (76,315) (88,087)
Lease liabilities (176) (152) (158)
Current tax liabilities (2,406) - (2,643)
(126,775) (76,467) (120,632)
Net current assets 201,968 239,821 225,664
Non-current liabilities
Borrowings 13 (53,983) (72,145) (33,830)
Trade and other payables (1,673) (2,733) (1,757)
Lease liabilities (371) (410) (397)
Net deferred tax liabilities (33,748) (25,460) (30,089)
Retirement benefit obligations - - (11)
(89,775) (100,748) (66,084)
Total liabilities (216,550) (177,215) (186,716)
Net assets 649,992 603,053 637,722
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Called up share capital 14 32,486 32,345 32,408
Share premium account 25,112 24,688 25,034
Fair value reserve 245,766 179,339 225,177
Capital redemption reserve 257 257 257
Merger reserve 45,667 45,667 45,667
Investment in own shares (134) (90) (99)
Retained earnings 286,054 318,000 271,322
Current year profit 14,784 2,847 37,956
Total shareholders' equity 649,992 603,053 637,722
Condensed consolidated statement of changes in shareholders' equity
Called up share capital £'000 Share Fair Capital redemption reserve Investment in own shares
premium account Merger reserve value £'000 £'000 Retained earnings Total
£'000 £'000 reserve £'000 equity
£'000 £'000
Balance at 1 Jan 2023 32,305 24,688 45,667 174,520 257 (50) 325,277 602,664
Profit for the six months to 30 June 2023 - - - - - - 2,847 2,847
Fair value gains - - - 17,888 - - (17,888) -
Transfer of unrealised gains on disposal of investment property - - - (13,002) - - 13,002 -
Other comprehensive (expense)/income:
Actuarial gain in Blenkinsopp pension scheme - - - - - - 86 86
Revaluation of group occupied property - - - (67) - - - (67)
Fair value of financial - - - - - - - -
instruments
Deferred tax on other comprehensive (expense)/income items - - - - - - (22) (22)
- - - 4,819 - - (1,975) 2,844
Transactions with owners:
Purchase of own shares - - - - - (40) - (40)
Share-based payments - - - - - - 546 546
Dividends paid - - - - - - (3,001) (3,001)
Share issue 40 - - - - - - 40
Balance at 30 June 2023 (unaudited) 32,345 24,688 45,667 179,339 257 (90) 320,847 603,053
Profit for the year to 31 December 2023 - - - - - - 35,110 35,110
Fair value gains - - - 58,856 - - (58,856) -
Transfer of unrealised gains on disposal of investment property - - - (12,918) - - 12,918 -
Other comprehensive (expense)/income:
Actuarial loss in Blenkinsopp pension scheme - - - - - - (96) (96)
Revaluation of group occupied property - - - (100) - - - (100)
Deferred tax on other comprehensive (expense)/income items - - - - - - 25 25
- - - 45,838 - - (10,899) 34,939
Transactions with owners: -
Purchase of own shares - - - - - (9) - (9)
Share-based payments - - - - - - 768 768
Dividends paid - - - - - - (1,437) (1,437)
Share issue 63 346 - - - - - 409
Balance at 31 December 2023 32,408 25,034 45,667 225,177 257 (99) 309,278 637,722
Profit for the six months to 30 June 2024 - - - - - - 14,784 14,784
Fair value gains - - - 28,770 - - (28,770) -
Transfer of unrealised gains on disposal of investment property - - - (7,881) - - 7,881 -
Other comprehensive (expense)/income:
Actuarial loss in Blenkinsopp pension scheme - - - - - - (123) (123)
Revaluation of group occupied property - - - (300) - - - (300)
- - - 20,589 - - (6,228) 14,361
Transactions with owners:
Purchase of own shares - - - - - (35) - (35)
Share-based payments - - - - - - 1,099 1,099
Dividends paid - - - - - - (3,311) (3,311)
Share issue 78 78 - - - - - 156
Balance at 30 June 2024 (unaudited) 32,486 25,112 45,667 245,766 257 (134) 300,838 649,992
Consolidated statement of cash flows
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months ended
30 June 6 months ended year ended
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December 2023
£'000
2023
£'000
Cash flows from operating activities
Profit before tax for the period/year 18,726 4,465 49,807
Net finance costs 2,813 2,770 5,976
Other gains (30,736) (13,774) (69,426)
Share of (profit)/loss of joint ventures (including impairment) (430) 773 (1,554)
Share-based transactions((19)) 1,114 533 1,404
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment and right of use assets 188 112 282
Pension contributions in excess of charge (1,072) (59) (113)
Operating cash outflows before movements in working capital (9,397) (5,180) (13,624)
(Increase)/decrease in inventories (1,648) (15,311) 5,186
(Increase)/decrease in receivables (21,785) 3,397 18,868
Increase/(decrease) in payables 50 (5,325) 6,937
Cash generated (used in)/generated from operations (32,780) (22,419) 17,367
Interest paid (2,055) (2,065) (4,302)
Corporation tax paid (236) (8,462) (10,212)
Cash (used in)/generated from operating activities (35,071) (32,946) 2,853
Cash flows from investing activities
Interest received 801 335 445
Investment in joint ventures (2,422) - (250)
Distribution from joint ventures 1,228 - 911
Net proceeds from disposal of Investment Property, AHFS and overages 17,517 50,506 69,568
Property acquisitions (2,649) (12,019) (19,046)
Expenditure on investment properties and AHFS (18,491) (16,801) (35,808)
Expenditure on property, plant and equipment (176) (238) (396)
Cash (used in)/generated from investing activities (4,192) 21,783 15,424
Cash flows from financing activities
Net proceeds from issue of ordinary shares 87 - 400
Proceeds from other loans 5,510 5,309 5,939
Repayment of other loans (852) (3,116) (3,299)
Proceeds from bank loans 40,000 20,000 45,000
Repayment of bank loans (20,000) (11,000) (46,000)
Loan arrangement fees (101) (66) (162)
Payment in respect of leases (45) (53) (118)
Dividends paid (3,311) (3,001) (4,438)
Cash generated from/(used in) financing activities 21,288 8,073 (2,678)
(Decrease)/increase in cash (17,975) (3,090) 15,599
Cash as at beginning of period/year 27,182 11,583 11,583
(Decrease)/increase in cash (17,975) (3,090) 15,599
Cash as at end of period/year 9,207 8,493 27,182
(19) Share-based transactions reflect the non-cash expenses relating to share-based
payments included within the income statement
Notes to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements
for the six months ended 30 June 2024
1. Accounting policies
The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of this condensed
consolidated interim financial information are set out below. These policies
have been consistently applied to all of the periods presented, unless
otherwise stated.
General information
Harworth Group plc (the "Company") is a company limited by shares,
incorporated and domiciled in the UK (England). The address of its registered
office is Advantage House, Poplar Way, Catcliffe, Rotherham, South Yorkshire,
S60 5TR.
The Company is a public company listed on the London Stock Exchange.
The condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the six months
ended 30 June 2024 comprise the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries
(together referred to as the "Group").
These condensed consolidated interim financial statements do not comprise
statutory accounts within the meaning of section 434 of the Companies Act
2006. The financial information presented for the year ended 31 December 2023
is derived from the statutory accounts for that year. Statutory accounts for
the year ended 31 December 2023 were approved by the Board of Directors on 18
March 2024 and delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the
auditor on those accounts was unqualified, did not contain an emphasis of
matter paragraph and did not contain any statement under section 498 of the
Companies Act 2006.
The condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the six months
ended 30 June 2024, which have not been audited, were approved by the Board on
9 September 2024.
Basis of preparation
These condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the six months
ended 30 June 2024 have been prepared in accordance with the Disclosure
Guidance and Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority and in
accordance with IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting' as contained in
UK-adopted international accounting standards.
These condensed consolidated interim financial statements should be read in
conjunction with the Group's annual financial statements for the year ended 31
December 2023, which were prepared in accordance with
international accounting standards in conformity with the requirements of the
Companies Act 2006 and in accordance with UK adopted International Financial
Reporting Standards ("IFRS").
Going-concern basis
These condensed consolidated interim financial statements are prepared on the
basis that the Group is a going concern. In forming its opinion as to going
concern, the Company prepares cash flow and banking covenant forecasts based
upon assumptions, with particular consideration to key risks and uncertainties
and the macro-economic environment as well as taking into account available
borrowing facilities. The going concern period assessed is until December 2025
which is selected as it can be projected with a reasonable degree of accuracy
and covers a complete period of reporting under the Group's RCF.
A key focus of the assessment of going concern is the management of liquidity
and compliance with borrowing facilities for the period to December 2025. In
2022, a five year £200 million RCF was agreed with HSBC, NatWest and
Santander. The RCF is aligned to the Group's strategy and provides significant
liquidity and flexibility to enable it to pursue its strategic ambitions. The
facility is subject to financial covenants, including minimum interest cover,
maximum infrastructure debt as a percentage of property value and gearing, all
of which are tested through the going concern assessment undertaken. Available
liquidity, including cash and cash equivalents and bank facility headroom, was
£154.2 million as at 30 June 2024 (31 December 2023: £192.2 million).
The Group benefits from diversification across its Capital Growth and Income
Generation businesses including its industrial and renewable energy property
portfolios. Taking into account the independent desktop valuation carried out
by BNP Paribas and Savills as at 30 June 2024, the Group net loan-to-portfolio
value remains low at 9.8%, within the Board's target range and with headroom
to allow for any falls in property values. Rent collection remained strong,
with 98% collected for H1 2024.
In addition to the Company's base cashflow forecast, a sensitised forecast was
produced that reflected a number of severe but plausible downsides. This
downside included: 1) a severe reduction in sales; 2) notwithstanding strong
rent collection in line with previous quarters, a prudent material increase in
bad debts across the portfolio over the going concern assessment period; 3) a
decline in the value of land and investment property values as a result of
macro-economic conditions; and 4) increases in overhead costs.
A scenario was also run which demonstrated that very severe loss of revenue,
valuation reductions and interest cost increases would be required to breach
cashflow and banking covenants. The Directors consider this very severe
scenario to be remote. A scenario with consideration of potential climate
change and related transition impacts was also examined as part of the Group's
focus on climate-related risks and opportunities.
Under each downside scenario, for the going concern period to December 2025,
the Group expects to continue to have sufficient cash reserves to continue to
operate with headroom on lending facilities and associated covenants and has
additional mitigation measures within management's control, for example
reducing development and acquisition expenditure and reducing operating costs,
that could be deployed to create further cash and covenant headroom.
Based on these considerations, together with available market information and
the Directors' knowledge and experience of the Group's property portfolio and
markets, the Directors considered it appropriate to adopt a going concern
basis of accounting in the preparation of the Group's and Company's financial
statements.
Changes in accounting policy and disclosures
(a) New standards, amendments and interpretations
A number of new standards and amendments to standards and interpretations are
effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2024. None of
these have a significant effect on the financial statements of the Group.
(b) New standards, amendments and interpretations not yet adopted
A number of new standards and amendments to standards and interpretations are
effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2025 and have not
been applied in preparing these financial statements. None of these are
expected to have a significant effect on the financial statements of the
Group.
Estimates and judgements
The preparation of the condensed consolidated interim financial statements
requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect
the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities, income and expense. Actual results may differ from these
estimates.
In preparing these condensed consolidated interim financial statements, the
significant judgements made by management in applying the Group's accounting
policies and the key sources of estimation uncertainty were the same as those
that applied in the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31
December 2023.
2. Alternative Performance Measures ("APMs")
Introduction
The Group has applied the December 2019 European Securities and Markets
Authority ("ESMA") guidance on APMs and the November 2017 Financial Reporting
Council ("FRC") corporate thematic review of APMs in these results. An APM is
a financial measure of historical or future financial performance, position or
cash flows of the Group which is not a measure defined or specified under
IFRS.
Overview of use of APMs
The Directors believe that APMs assist in providing additional useful
information on the underlying trends, performance and position of the Group.
APMs assist stakeholder users of the accounts, particularly equity and debt
investors, through the comparability of information. APMs are used by the
Directors and management, both internally and externally, for performance
analysis, strategic planning, reporting and incentive-setting purposes.
APMs are not defined by IFRS and therefore may not be directly comparable with
other companies' APMs, including peers in the real estate industry. APMs
should be considered in addition to, and are not intended to be a substitute
for, or superior to, IFRS measurements.
The derivations of our APMs and their purpose
The primary differences between IFRS statutory amounts and the APMs that we
use are as follows:
1. Capturing all sources of value creation - Under IFRS, the revaluation movement
in development properties which are held in inventory is not included in the
balance sheet. Also, overages are not recognised in the balance sheet until
they are highly probable. These movements, which are verified by our
independent valuers BNP Paribas and Savills, are included within our APMs;
2. Re-categorising income statement amounts - Under IFRS, the grouping of
amounts, particularly within gross profit and other gains, does not clearly
allow Harworth to demonstrate the value creation through its business model.
In particular, the statutory grouping does not distinguish value gains (being
realised profits from the sales of properties and unrealised profits from
property value movements) from the ongoing profitability of the business which
is less susceptible to movements in the property cycle. Finally, the Group
includes profits from joint ventures within its APMs as its joint ventures
conduct similar operations to Harworth, albeit in different ownership
structures; and
3. Comparability with industry peers - Harworth discloses some APMs which are
EPRA measures as these are a set of standard disclosures for the property
industry and thus aid comparability for our stakeholder users.
Our key APMs
The key APMs that the Group focuses on are as follows:
· Comparability with industry peers - Harworth discloses some APMs which are
EPRA measures as these are a set of standard disclosures for the property
industry and thus aid comparability for our stakeholder users.
· EPRA NDV per share - EPRA NDV aims to represent shareholder value under an
orderly sale of the business, where deferred tax, financial instruments and
certain other adjustments are calculated to the full extent of their liability
net of any resulting tax. EPRA NDV per share is EPRA NDV divided by the number
of shares in issue at the end of the period, less shares held by the Employee
Benefit Trust or Equiniti Share Plan Trustees Limited to satisfy Long Term
Incentive Plan and Share Incentive Plan awards
· Value gains - These are the realised profits from the sales of properties and
unrealised profits from property value movements including joint ventures and
the mark to market movement on development properties, AHFS and overages
· Net loan to portfolio value ("LTV") - Group debt net of cash and cash
equivalents held expressed as a percentage of portfolio value
3. Segment information
Segmental Income Statement
Unaudited 6 months ended 30 June 2024
Capital Growth
Sale of development properties Other property activities Income Generation Central Total
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Revenue ((1)) 24,006 7,047 10,253 - 41,306
Cost of sales (24,080) (7,474) (2,556) - (34,110)
Gross profit ((2)) (74) (427) 7,697 - 7,196
Administrative expenses - (3,162) (1,388) (12,229) (16,779)
Other gains ((3)) - 23,243 7,493 - 30,736
Other operating expense - - - (44) (44)
Operating profit/(loss) (74) 19,654 13,802 (12,273) 21,109
Finance costs - (119) - (3,495) (3,614)
Finance income - 799 - 2 801
Share of loss of joint ventures - (707) 1,137 - 430
Profit/(loss) before tax (74) 19,627 14,939 (15,766) 18,726
((1)) Revenue
Revenue is analysed as follows:
Sale of development properties 24,006 - - - 24,006
Development revenues - 6,880 - - 6,880
Rent, service charge and royalties revenue - 106 10,188 - 10,294
Other revenue - 61 65 - 126
24,006 7,047 10,253 - 41,306
((2)) Gross profit
Gross profit is analysed as follows:
Gross profit excluding sales of development properties - (427) 7,697 - 7,270
Gross loss on sale of development properties (801) - - - (801)
Net realisable value provision on development properties (4,303) - - - (4,303)
Reversal of previous net realisable value provision on development properties 4,009 - - - 4,009
Release of previous net realisable value provision on disposal of development 1,021 - - - 1,021
properties
(74) (427) 7,697 - 7,196
((3)) Other gains
Other gains are analysed as follows:
Increase in fair value of investment - 19,080 7,608 - 26,688
Properties
Decrease in the fair value of AHFS - (200) (16) - (216)
Loss on sale of investment properties - (33) - - (33)
Profit/(loss) on sale of AHFS - 204 (99) - 105
Profit on sale of overages - 4,192 - - 4,192
- 23,243 7,493 - 30,736
Segmental Balance Sheet
Unaudited as at 30 June 2024
Capital Income Central Total
£'000
Growth Generation £'000
£'000 £'000
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment - - 1,442 1,442
Right of use assets - - 463 463
Other receivables 23,046 - - 23,046
Investment properties 238,385 241,179 - 479,564
Investments in joint ventures 18,318 14,028 - 32,346
Retirement benefit asset - - 938 938
279,749 255,207 2,843 537,799
Current assets
Inventories 264,721 - - 264,721
Trade and other receivables 31,479 14,678 1,167 47,324
AHFS 3,602 3,889 - 7,491
Cash and cash equivalents - - 9,207 9,207
299,802 18,567 10,374 328,743
Total assets 579,551 273,774 13,217 866,542
Financial liabilities and derivative financial instruments are not allocated
to the reporting segments as they are managed and measured at a Group level.
Segmental Income Statement
Unaudited 6 months ended 30 June 2023
Capital Growth
Sale of development properties Other property activities Income Generation Central Total
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Revenue ((1)) 4,025 283 13,929 - 18,237
Cost of sales (5,644) (479) (3,486) - (9,609)
Gross profit ((2)) (1,619) (196) 10,443 - 8,628
Administrative expenses - (2,231) (2,332) (9,786) (14,349)
Other gains ((3)) - 12,502 1,272 - 13,774
Other operating expense - - - (45) (45)
Operating profit/(loss) (1,619) 10,075 9,383 (9,831) 8,008
Finance costs - 33 - (3,138) (3,105)
Finance income - 333 2 - 335
Share of loss of joint ventures - (896) 123 - (773)
Profit/(loss) before tax (1,619) 9,545 9,508 (12,969) 4,465
((1)) Revenue
Revenue is analysed as follows:
Sale of development properties 4,025 - - - 4,025
Revenue from PPAs - 36 - - 36
Rent, service charge and royalties revenue - 235 13,444 - 13,679
Other revenue - 12 485 - 497
4,025 283 13,929 - 18,237
((2)) Gross profit
Gross profit is analysed as follows:
Gross profit excluding sales of development properties - (196) 10,443 - 10,247
Gross profit on sale of development properties (1,344) - - - (1,344)
Net realisable value provision on development properties (1,019) - - - (1,019)
Reversal of previous net realisable value provision on development properties 744 - - - 744
(1,619) (196) 10,443 - 8,628
((3)) Other gains
Other gains are analysed as follows:
Increase in fair value of investment - 12,726 2,279 - 15,005
Properties
Decrease in the fair value of AHFS - (114) (58) - (172)
Loss on sale of investment properties - (110) (317) - (427)
Loss on sale of AHFS - - (632) - (632)
- 12,502 1,272 - 13,774
Segmental Balance Sheet
Unaudited as at 30 June 2023
Capital Income Central Total
£'000
Growth Generation £'000
£'000 £'000
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment - - 1,236 1,236
Right of use assets - - 557 557
Trade and other receivables 2,735 - - 2,735
Investment properties 196,328 234,038 - 430,366
Investments in joint ventures 15,566 13,489 - 29,055
Retirement benefit asset - - 31 31
214,629 247,527 1,824 463,980
Current assets
Inventories 231,304 - - 231,304
Trade and other receivables 35,485 12,782 6,271 54,538
AHFS 2,514 18,297 - 20,811
Cash and cash equivalents - - 8,493 8,493
Current tax asset - - 1,142 1,142
269,303 31,079 15,906 316,288
Total assets 483,932 278,606 17,730 780,268
Financial liabilities and derivative financial instruments are not allocated
to the reporting segments as they are managed and measured at a Group level.
Segmental Income Statement
Audited year ended 31 December 2023
Capital Growth
Sale of development properties Other property activities Income Generation Central Total
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Revenue ((1)) 46,731 2,286 23,410 - 72,427
Cost of sales (51,709) (2,340) (6,028) - (60,077)
Gross profit ((2)) (4,978) (54) 17,382 - 12,350
Administrative expenses - (5,062) (3,147) (19,226) (27,435)
Other gains ((3)) - 65,066 4,360 - 69,426
Other operating expense - - - (112) (112)
Operating profit/(loss) (4,978) 59,950 18,595 (19,338) 54,229
Finance costs - - - (6,421) (6,421)
Finance income - 438 7 - 445
Share of loss of joint ventures - 892 662 - 1,554
Profit/(loss) before tax (4,978) 61,280 19,264 (25,759) 49,807
((1)) Revenue
Revenue is analysed as follows:
Sale of development properties 46,731 - - - 46,731
Revenue from PPAs - 776 - - 776
Build-to-suit development revenue - 956 - - 956
Rent, service charge and royalties revenue - 340 22,657 - 22,997
Other revenue - 214 753 - 967
46,731 2,286 23,410 - 72,427
((2)) Gross profit
Gross profit is analysed as follows:
Gross profit excluding sales of development properties - (54) 17,382 - 17,328
Gross profit on sale of development properties (618) - - - (618)
Net realisable value provision on development properties (7,442) - - - (7,442)
Reversal of previous net realisable value provision on development properties 1,213 - - - 1,213
Release of net realisable value provision on disposal of development 1,869 - - - 1,869
properties
(4,978) (54) 17,382 - 12,350
((3)) Other gains/(losses)
Other gains/(losses) are analysed as follows:
Increase/(decrease) in fair value of investment - 65,584 5,788 - 71,372
properties
Decrease in the fair value of AHFS - (114) (158) - (272)
Profit on sale of investment properties - (588) (365) - (953)
(Loss)/profit on sale of AHFS - (134) (1,006) - (1,140)
Profit on sale of overages - 318 101 - 419
- 65,066 4,360 - 69,426
Segmental Balance Sheet
Audited as at 31 December 2023
Capital Income Central Total
£'000
Growth Generation £'000
£'000 £'000
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment - - 1,670 1,670
Right of use assets - - 512 512
Other receivables 11,296 - - 11,296
Investment properties 199,216 234,726 - 433,942
Investments in joint ventures 17,604 13,118 - 30,722
228,116 247,844 2,182 478,142
Current assets
Inventories 263,073 - - 263,073
Trade and other receivables 23,967 11,300 2,022 37,289
AHFS 3,764 14,988 - 18,752
Cash and cash equivalents - - 27,182 27,182
290,804 26,288 29,204 346,296
Total assets 518,920 274,132 31,386 824,438
Financial liabilities and derivative financial instruments are not allocated
to the reporting segments as they are managed and measured at a Group level.
4. Finance costs and finance income
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months ended
30 June 6 months ended year ended
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December 2023
£'000
2023
£'000
Finance costs
- Bank interest (1,208) (1,294) (2,778)
- Facility fees (715) (771) (1,524)
- Amortisation of up-front fees (383) (331) (671)
- Other interest (1,308) (709) (1,448)
(3,614) (3,105) (6,421)
Finance income 801 335 445
Net finance costs (2,813) (2,770) (5,976)
5. Tax
The Group calculates the period tax expense using the tax rate that would be
applicable to the expected total annual earnings. The major components of tax
expense in the condensed interim consolidated income statement are:
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months ended
30 June 6 months ended year ended
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December 2023
£'000
2023
£'000
Tax charges
Current tax charge - 307 5,842
Deferred tax charge relating to origination and reversal of temporary 3,942 1,311 6,009
differences
Tax charge recognised in income statement 3,942 1,618 11,851
The deferred tax charge largely relates to unrealised gains on investment
properties.
6. Dividends
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months ended
30 June 6 months ended year ended
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December 2023
£'000
2023
£'000
Full year dividend of 1.022p per share for the year ended 31 December 2023 3,311 - -
Interim dividend of 0.444p per share for the year ended 31 December 2023 - - 1,437
Full year dividend of 0.929p per share for the year ended 31 December 2022 - 3,001 3,001
3,311 3,001 4,438
The Board has determined that it is appropriate for an interim dividend for
the year ending 31 December 2024 to be paid of 0.489p (H1 2023: 0.444p) per
share, an increase of 10% in line with the Group's policy.
There is no change to the current dividend policy to continue to grow the
dividends by 10% each year.
7. Earnings per share
Earnings per share has been calculated by dividing the profit attributable to
ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of shares in issue and
ranking for dividend during the period/year.
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months ended
30 June 6 months ended year ended
2024
30 June 31 December 2023
2023
Profit from continuing operations attributable to ordinary shareholders 14,784 2,847 37,956
(£'000)
Weighted average number of shares used for basic earnings per share 323,369,861 322,603,991 322,767,356
calculation
Basic earnings per share (pence) 4.6 0.9 11.8
Weighted average number of shares used for diluted earnings per share 330,745,233 328,033,119 328,653,655
calculation
Diluted earnings per share (pence) 4.5 0.9 11.5
The difference between the weighted average number of shares used for the
basic and diluted earnings per share calculation is due to the effect of share
options that are dilutive.
8. Investment properties
The Group holds five categories of investment property being Agricultural
Land, Natural Resources, the Investment Portfolio, Major Developments and
Strategic Land in the UK, which sit within the operating segments of Income
Generation and Capital Growth.
Income Generation Capital Growth
Agricultural Land Natural Investment Portfolio Major Strategic Land
£'000 Resources £'000 Developments £'000 Total
£'000
£'000 £'000
At 1 January 2023 (audited) 5,694 19,726 210,407 44,244 120,292 400,363
Direct acquisitions 655 - - - 10,401 11,056
Subsequent expenditure - 29 293 12,759 3,647 16,728
Disposals - - (11,136) - - (11,136)
Increase/(decrease) in fair value 122 (242) 2,400 (1,050) 13,775 15,005
Transfers between operating segments - - 8,140 (8,140) - -
Transfers from development properties - - - 400 - 400
Transfers to property, plant and equipment - - (500) - - (500)
Transfer to AHFS - - (1,550) - - (1,550)
At 30 June 2023 (unaudited) 6,471 19,513 208,054 48,213 148,115 430,366
Direct acquisitions - - - - 5,428 5,428
Subsequent expenditure 45 1,321 384 9,345 7,911 19,006
Disposals - - - (788) (7,041) (7,829)
(Decrease)/increase in fair value (6) 331 3,183 4,246 48,613 56,367
Transfers between operating segments - - 10,411 (2,276) (8,135) -
Transfers (to)/from development properties - - - (400) (51,865) (52,265)
Transfers to property, plant and equipment - - (467) - - (467)
Transfer to AHFS - (1,264) (13,250) - (2,150) (16,664)
At 31 December 2023 (audited) 6,510 19,901 208,315 58,340 140,876 433,942
Direct acquisitions - - - - 2,649 2,649
Subsequent expenditure - 559 452 16,768 673 18,452
Disposals - - - - - -
Increase in fair value 364 170 7,075 (3,023) 22,102 26,688
Transfers between operating segments - (1,285) 1,285 1,860 (1,860) -
Transfer to AHFS - (2,167) - - - (2,167)
At 30 June 2024 (unaudited) 6,874 17,178 217,127 73,945 164,440 479,564
Valuation process
The Directors' valuation as at 30 June 2024 was based on a desktop valuation
completed by BNP Paribas and Savills on the portfolio of properties. BNP
Paribas and Savills are independent firms acting in the capacity of external
valuers with relevant experience of valuations of this nature.
9. Investment in joint ventures
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at
30 June As at As at
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December 2023
£'000
2023
£'000
At 1 January 30,722 29,828 29,828
Investments in joint ventures 2,422 - 250
Distributions from joint ventures (1,228) - (910)
Share of profits/(losses) of joint ventures 430 (773) 1,554
At end of period/year 32,346 29,055 30,722
10. Inventories
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at
30 June As at As at
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December 2023
£'000
2023
£'000
Development properties 250,548 219,153 250,024
Planning promotion agreements 4,354 3,581 3,805
Option agreements 9,819 8,570 9,244
Total inventories 264,721 231,304 263,073
The movement in development properties is as follows:
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months ended
30 June 6 months ended Year ended
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December 2023
£'000
2023
£'000
At start of period 250,024 204,952 204,952
Subsequent expenditure 13,639 17,436 32,417
Disposals (13,842) (2,560) (34,850)
Net realisable value release/(provision) 727 (275) (4,360)
Net transfer from/(to) investment properties - (400) 51,865
Total development properties 250,548 219,153 250,024
The movement in net realisable value provision was as follows:
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months ended
30 June 6 months ended Year ended
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December 2023
£'000
2023
£'000
At start of period 14,136 9,776 9,776
Charge for the period 4,303 1,019 7,442
Reversal of previous net realisable value provision (4,009) (744) (1,213)
Released on disposals (1,021) - (1,869)
At end of period 13,409 10,051 14,136
11. Assets held for sale
AHFS relate to investment properties identified as being for sale within 12
months, where a sale is considered highly probable and the property is
immediately available for sale.
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at
30 June As at As at
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December 2023
£'000
2023
£'000
At start of period 18,752 59,790 59,790
Net transfer from investment properties 2,167 1,550 18,214
Subsequent expenditure 39 73 74
Decrease in fair value (216) (172) (272)
Disposals (13,251) (40,430) (59,054)
At end of period 7,491 20,811 18,752
12. Cash
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at
30 June As at As at
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December 2023
£'000
2023
£'000
Cash 9,207 8,493 27,182
13. Borrowings
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at
30 June As at As at
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December 2023
£'000
2023
£'000
Current:
Secured - infrastructure and direct development loans (35,708) - (29,744)
(35,708) - (29,744)
Non-current:
Secured - bank loan (53,983) (43,731) (33,830)
Secured - infrastructure and direct development loans - (28,414) -
Total non-current borrowings (53,983) (72,145) (33,830)
Total borrowings (89,691) (72,145) (63,574)
Loans are stated after deduction of unamortised fees of £1.2 million (June
2023: £1.7 million, December 2023: £1.5 million).
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at
30 June As at As at
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December
2023 2023
£'000
£'000
Infrastructure and direct development loans
South Yorkshire Pension Fund/ Scrudf Limited Partnership Rotherham AMP (7,412) - (584)
Scrudf Limited Partnership Gateway 36 (6,279) (6,726) (6,850)
Merseyside Pension Fund Bardon Hill (22,017) (21,688) (22,310)
Total infrastructure and direct development loans (35,708) (28,414) (29,744)
Bank loan (53,983) (43,731) (33,830)
Total borrowings (89,691) (72,145) (63,574)
The bank borrowings are part of a £200 million (2023: £200 million)
revolving credit facility ("RCF") with a £40 million uncommitted accordion
option, provided by NatWest, Santander and HSBC. The RCF is repayable on 4
March 2027 at the end of the five-year term.
The RCF is subject to financial and other covenants. The bank borrowings are
secured by way of a floating debenture over assets not otherwise used as
security under specific infrastructure or direct development loans. Proceeds
from and repayments of bank loans are reflected gross in the Consolidated
Statement of Cash Flows and reflect timing of utilisation of the RCF.
The infrastructure and direct development loans are provided by public and
private bodies in order to promote the development of major sites or assist
with vertical direct development. The loans are drawn as work on the
respective sites is progressed and they are repaid on agreed dates or when
disposals are made from the sites.
14. Share capital
Issued, authorised and fully paid Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at
30 June As at As at
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December 2023
£'000
2023
£'000
At start of period/year 32,408 32,305 32,305
Shares issued 78 40 103
At end of period/year 32,486 32,345 32,408
Issued, authorised and fully paid - number of shares Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at
30 June As at As at
2024
30 June 31 December 2023
2023
At start of period/year 324,084,072 323,051,124 323,051,124
Shares issued 783,677 398,704 1,032,948
At end of period/year 324,867,749 323,449,828 324,084,072
Own shares held (1,275,281) (837,143) (929,699)
At end of period/year 323,592,468 322,612,685 323,154,373
There is only one class of share in issue: ordinary shares of 10 pence each.
All shares carry equal rights to dividends, voting and return of capital on a
winding up of the Company, as set out in the Company's Articles of
Association.
15. Related party transactions
The Group carried out the following transactions with related parties. The
following entities are related parties as a consequence of shareholdings,
joint venture arrangements and partners of such and/or common Directorships.
All related party transactions are clearly justified and beneficial to the
Group, are undertaken on an arm's-length basis on fully commercial terms and
in the normal course of business.
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months ended/as at 6 months ended/as at year ended/
30 June 30 June as at
2024 2023 31 December
£000 £000 2023
£000
MULTIPLY LOGISTICS NORTH HOLDINGS LIMITED &
MULTIPLY LOGISTICS NORTH LP
Sales
Recharges of costs - 4 281
Asset management fee 52 25 100
Water charges 66 84 146
Purchases
Recharge of costs 3 1 1
Receivables
Other receivables - 4 5
Trade receivables 38 - 281
Payables
Other payables (68) - -
GENUIT GROUP (FORMERLY POLYPIPE)
Sales
Rent - 16 10
Development property disposal - - 1,680
Receivables
Trade receivables - 6 -
THE AIRE VALLEY LAND LLP
Receivable - 26 26
CRIMEA LAND MANSFIELD LLP
Receivable - 9 9
Investment made during the year 25 - -
NORTHERN GATEWAY DEVELOPMENT VEHICLE LLP
Purchases
Recharge of costs 5 - -
Investment made during the year 2,497 - 250
INVESTMENT PROPERTY FORUM
Purchases 1 - 5
BRITISH PROPERTY FEDERATION
Purchases 1 - -
16. Post balance sheet events
Following the period end the Group acquired a former brickworks site in
Bedfordshire for total consideration of £30.6 million payable over 2 years.
The site has outline planning permission for the delivery of 1,000 homes.
Appendix
EPRA Net Asset Measures
EPRA introduced a new set of Net Asset Value metrics in 2020: EPRA Net
Reinstatement Value ("NRV"), EPRA Net Tangible Assets ("NTA") and EPRA NDV.
While the Group uses only EPRA NDV as a key APM, the EPRA Best Practices
Recommendations guidelines require companies to report all three EPRA NAV
metrics and reconcile them to IFRS. These disclosures are provided below.
30 June 2024
EPRA NDV EPRA NTA EPRA NRV
£'000 £'000 £'000
Net assets 649,992 649,992 649,992
Cumulative unrealised gains on development properties 43,947 43,947 43,947
Cumulative unrealised gains on overages 5,400 5,400 5,400
Deferred tax liabilities (IFRS) - 30,089 30,089
Notional deferred tax on unrealised gains (12,309) - -
Deferred tax liabilities @ 50% - (21,199) -
Purchaser costs - - 59,019
687,030 708,229 788,447
Number of shares used for per share calculations 323,592,468 323,592,468 323,592,468
Per share (pence) 212.3 218.9 243.7
30 June 2023
EPRA NDV EPRA NTA EPRA NRV
£'000 £'000 £'000
Net assets 603,053 603,053 603,053
Cumulative unrealised gains on development properties 30,500 30,500 30,500
Cumulative unrealised gains on overages 7,000 7,000 7,000
Deferred tax liabilities (IFRS) - 25,460 25,460
Notional deferred tax on unrealised gains (9,321) - -
Deferred tax liabilities @ 50% - (17,391) -
Purchaser costs - - 51,142
631,232 648,622 717,155
Number of shares used for per share calculations 322,612,685 322,612,685 322,612,685
Per share (pence) 195.7 201.1 222.3
31 December 2023
EPRA NDV EPRA NTA EPRA NRV
£'000 £'000 £'000
Net assets 637,722 637,722 637,722
Cumulative unrealised gains on development properties 24,083 24,083 24,083
Cumulative unrealised gains on overages 9,400 9,400 9,400
Deferred tax liabilities (IFRS) - 30,089 30,089
Notional deferred tax on unrealised gains (8,342) - -
Deferred tax liabilities @ 50% - (19,216) -
Purchaser costs - - 52,528
662,863 682,078 753,822
Number of shares used for per share calculations 323,154,373 323,154,373 323,154,373
Per share (pence) 205.1 211.1 233.3
1) Reconciliation to statutory measures
a. Revaluation gains/(losses) Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months ended
30 June 6 months ended year ended
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December
2023 2023
£'000
£'000
Increase in fair value of investment properties 26,688 15,005 71,372
Decrease in fair value of AHFS (216) (172) (272)
Share of profit/(loss) of joint ventures 430 (773) 1,554
Net realisable value provision on development properties (4,303) (1,019) (7,442)
Reversal of previous net realisable value provision on development properties 4,009 744 1,213
Amounts derived from statutory reporting 26,608 13,785 66,425
Unrealised gains/(losses) on development properties 19,948 (2,210) (3,708)
Unrealised gains/(losses) on overages 19 (500) 2,209
Revaluation gains 46,575 11,075 64,926
b. Profit/(loss) on sale Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months ended
30 June 6 months ended year ended
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December
2023 2023
£'000
£'000
Loss on sale of investment properties (33) (427) (953)
Profit/(loss) on sale of AHFS 105 (632) (1,140)
Profit/(loss) on sale of development properties (801) (1,344) (618)
Release of net realisable value provision on disposal of development 1,021 - 1,869
properties
Profit on sale of overages 4,192 - 419
Amounts derived from statutory reporting 4,484 (2,403) (423)
Less previously unrealised gains on development properties released on sale (83) (1,142) (6,061)
Less previously unrealised gains on overages (4,019) - (309)
Profit/(loss) on sale contributing to growth in EPRA NDV 382 (3,545) (6,793)
c. Value gains/(losses) Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months ended
30 June 6 months ended year ended
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December
2023 2023
£'000
£'000
Revaluation gains 46,575 11,075 64,926
Profit/(loss) on sale 382 (3,545) (6,793)
Value gains 46,957 7,530 58,133
d. Total property sales Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months ended
30 June 6 months ended year ended
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December
2023 2023
£'000
£'000
Revenue 41,306 18,237 72,427
Less revenue from other property activities (7,047) (283) (2,286)
Less revenue from income generation activities (10,253) (13,929) (23,410)
Add proceeds from sales of investment properties, AHFS and overages 17,700 52,125 79,166
Total property sales 41,706 56,150 125,897
e. Operating profit contributing to growth in EPRA NDV Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months ended
30 June 6 months ended year ended
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December
2023 2023
£'000
£'000
Operating profit 21,109 8,008 54,229
Share of profit/(loss) on joint ventures 430 (773) 1,554
Unrealised gains/(losses) on development properties 19,948 (2,210) (3,708)
Unrealised gains/(losses) on overages 19 (500) 2,209
Less previously unrealised gains on development properties released on sale (83) (1,142) (6,061)
Less previously unrealised gains on overages released on sale (4,019) - (309)
Operating profit contributing to growth in EPRA NDV 37,404 3,383 47,914
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at
f. Portfolio value
30 June As at As at
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December
2023 2023
£'000
£'000
Land and buildings (included within Property, plant and equipment) 1,114 933 1,300
Investment properties 479,564 430,366 433,942
Investments in joint ventures 32,346 29,055 30,722
AHFS 7,491 20,811 18,752
Development properties (included within inventories) 250,548 219,153 250,024
Amounts recoverable on contracts (included within receivables) 1,456 - -
Amounts derived from statutory reporting 772,519 700,318 734,740
Cumulative unrealised gains on development properties as at period/year end 43,947 30,500 24,083
Cumulative unrealised gains on overages as at period/year end 5,400 7,000 9,400
Portfolio value 821,866 737,818 768,223
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at
g. Net debt
30 June As at As at
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December
2023 2023
£'000
£'000
Gross borrowings (89,691) (72,145) (63,574)
Cash and cash equivalents 9,207 8,493 27,182
Net debt (80,484) (63,652) (36,392)
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at
h. Net loan to portfolio value (%)
30 June As at As at
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December
2023 2023
£'000
£'000
Net debt (80,484) (63,652) (36,392)
Portfolio value 821,866 737,818 768,223
Net loan to portfolio value (%) 9.8% 8.6% 4.7%
i. Net loan to core income generation portfolio value (%) Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at
30 June As at As at
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December
2023 2023
£'000
£'000
Net debt (80,484) (63,652) (36,392)
Core income generation portfolio value (investment portfolio and natural 234,305 227,567 228,216
resources)
Net loan to core income generation portfolio value (%) 34.4% 28.0% 15.9%
j. Gross loan to portfolio value (%) Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at
30 June As at As at
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December
2023 2023
£'000
£'000
Gross borrowings (89,691) (72,145) (63,574)
Portfolio value 821,866 737,818 768,223
Gross loan to portfolio value (%) 10.9% 9.8% 8.3%
k. Gross loan to core income generation portfolio value (%) Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at
30 June As at As at
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December
2023 2023
£'000
£'000
Gross borrowings (89,691) (72,145) (63,574)
Core income generation portfolio value (investment portfolio and natural 234,305 227,567 228,216
resources)
Gross loan to core income generation portfolio value (%) 38.3% 31.7% 27.9%
l. Number of shares used for per share calculations (number) Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at
30 June As at As at
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December
2023 2023
£'000
£'000
Number of shares in issue at end of period/year 324,867,749 323,449,828 324,084,072
Less Employee Benefit Trust and Equiniti Share Plan Trustees Limited held (1,275,281) (837,143) (929,699)
shares (own shares) at end of period/year
Number of shares used for per share calculations 323,592,468 322,612,685 323,154,373
m. Net Asset Value (NAV) per share Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at
30 June As at As at
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December
2023 2023
£'000
£'000
NAV (£'000) 649,992 603,053 637,722
Number of shares used for per share calculations 323,592,468 322,612,685 323,154,373
NAV per share (p) 200.9 186.9 197.3
n. Total underlying revenue Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months ended
30 June 6 months ended Year
2024
£'000 30 June ended
2023 31 December
£'000 2023
£'000
Total property sales 41,706 56,150 125,897
Income generation portfolio revenue (investment portfolio, natural resources 10,253 13,929 23,410
and agriculture)
Development revenues 6,880 - 956
Other revenue 167 283 1,330
Total underlying revenue 59,006 70,362 151,593
Less proceeds from sale of investment properties, AHFS and overages (17,700) (52,125) (79,166)
Statutory revenue 41,306 18,237 72,427
2) Reconciliation to EPRA measures
a) EPRA NDV Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at
30 June As at As at
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December
2023 2023
£'000
£'000
Net assets 649,992 603,053 637,722
Cumulative unrealised gains on development properties 43,947 30,500 24,083
Cumulative unrealised gains on overages 5,400 7,000 9,400
Notional deferred tax on unrealised gains (12,309) (9,321) (8,342)
EPRA NDV 687,030 631,232 662,863
b) EPRA NDV per share (p) Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at
30 June As at As at
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December
2023 2023
£'000
£'000
EPRA NDV £'000 687,030 631,232 662,863
Number of shares used for per share calculations 323,592,468 322,612,685 323,154,373
EPRA NDV per share (p) 212.3 195.7 205.1
EPRA NDV per share growth and total return
Opening EPRA NDV/share (p) 205.1 196.5 196.5
Closing EPRA NDV/share (p) 212.3 195.7 205.1
Movement in the period/year (p) 7.2 (0.8) 8.6
EPRA NDV per share growth 3.5% (0.4%) 4.4%
Dividends paid per share (p) 1.0 0.9 1.4
Total return per share (p) 8.2 0.1 10.0
Total return as a percentage of opening EPRA NDV 4.0% 0.1% 5.1%
To help retain and incentivise a team with the requisite skills, knowledge and
experience to deliver strong, long-term, sustainable growth for shareholders
Harworth runs a number of share schemes for employees. The dilutive impact of
these on the number of shares at 30 June is set out below:
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at
30 June As at As at
2024
30 June 31 December
2023 2023
Number of shares used for per share calculations 323,592,468 322,612,685 323,154,373
Outstanding share options and shares held in trust under employee share 6,998,372 5,315,172 5,223,777
schemes
Number of diluted shares used for per share calculations 330,590,840 327,927,857 328,378,150
c) Diluted EPRA NDV per share (p) Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at
30 June As at As at
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December
2023 2023
£'000
£'000
EPRA NDV £'000 687,030 631,232 662,863
Number of diluted shares used for per share calculations 330,590,840 327,927,857 328,378,150
Diluted EPRA NDV per share (p) 207.8 192.4 201.9
Diluted EPRA NDV per share growth and total return
Opening EPRA NDV/share (p) 201.9 194.5 194.5
Closing EPRA NDV/share (p) 207.8 192.4 201.9
Movement in the period/year (p) 5.9 (2.1) 7.4
Diluted EPRA NDV per share growth 2.9% (1.1%) 3.8%
Dividends paid per share (p) 1.0 0.9 1.4
Total return per share (p) 6.9 (1.2%) 8.8
Total return as a percentage of opening diluted EPRA NDV 3.4% (0.6%) 4.5%
d) Net loan to EPRA NDV Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at
30 June As at As at
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December
2023 2023
£'000
£'000
Net debt (80,484) (63,652) (36,392)
EPRA NDV 687,030 631,232 662,863
Net loan to EPRA NDV 11.7% 10.1% 5.5%
Key financials
Key statutory measures H1 2024 H1 2023 FY 2023
Operating profit £21.1 million £8.0 million £54.2 million
Net asset value £650.0 million £603.1 million £637.7 million
Total dividend per share((3)) 0.489p 0.444p 1.466p
Net debt £80.5 million £63.7 million £36.4 million
Key non-statutory measures((2)) H1 2024 H1 2023 FY 2023
Total return 4.0% 0.1% 5.1%
EPRA NDV per share 212.3p 195.7p 205.1p
Value gains £47.0 million £7.5 million £58.1 million
Net loan to portfolio value 9.8% 8.6% 4.7%
Lynda Shillaw, Chief Executive of Harworth, commented: "Harworth continues to
consistently deliver strong progress against its strategic objectives and we
remain on track to reach £1 billion EPRA NDV by the end of 2027. In June we
announced that the Group would increase its focus on Industrial &
Logistics direct development, with an intention to grow the Investment
Portfolio, through direct development and selective acquisitions, to £0.9
billion by the end of 2029. This reflects the opportunity we see to deliver
into a sector which is key to economic growth and where there is critical
undersupply of high-quality space, in order to grow recurring income and
underpin sustainable shareholder returns.
"The first half saw significant progress on planning approvals, adding further
capacity to our near-term Industrial & Logistics pipeline and driving a
strong revaluation performance. We are ahead of budget for land sales, with
the standout transaction, as well as our largest sale to date, being the
conditional £106.6 million serviced land sale to Microsoft at Skelton Grange,
announced in June. The sale of serviced land provides a stable funding channel
for the planned growth in our Industrial & Logistics development
programme.
"Sustained demand for Harworth's serviced land and employment spaces,
alongside management actions, has underpinned EPRA NDV growth of 3.5% and we
expect further growth in the second half as we continue to develop out our
existing sites.
"Our current Industrial & Logistics pipeline has the potential to deliver
future Gross Development Value((5)) of £5 billion which contributes
significantly to the £1 billion EPRA NDV target. The near term pipeline has
the ability to deliver up to £0.8 billion of Gross Development Value by the
end of 2027. Our recent transactions, both for Commercial and Residential use,
are evidence of the underlying market demand for Harworth's high-quality land
and property.
"We are cautiously optimistic that a combination of improving economic
stability and supportive government policy will be beneficial for both the
real estate sector and Harworth. In the near term we recognise market
confidence could potentially be tempered by the extent of the steps taken by
the Government to address the public funding deficit, but as a long-term
investor Harworth is well versed in delivering performance through different
policy environments.
"Ultimately, Harworth is a long-term through-the-cycle business and its
extensive land pipeline, track record, specialist skillset and strong balance
sheet sets us apart from our peers and enables us to maximise the value
created from our sites for our shareholders."
Management actions drive enhanced value gains and profitability
· Value gains totalled £47.0 million (H1 2023: £7.5 million), driven by sales,
development of sites and planning permissions against the backdrop of
relatively stable markets
· Operating profit increased 164% to £21.1 million (H1 2023: £8.0 million),
reflecting increased land sales, revenue from development management, and
other gains relating to the valuations of investment properties and assets
held for sale
· Annualised rental income for the Investment Portfolio increased to £14.4
million, growth of 2.4% on a like-for-like basis
· Dividend per share up 10% at 0.489p (H1 2023: 0.444p), consistent with the
Group's existing dividend policy
Robust cash generation from residential land sales and strong balance sheet
position
· Completed 357 plot sales of serviced land for proceeds of £24.0 million, in
line with December 2023 book values, and a further 132 plots post period end
· Net debt of £80.5 million (31 December 2023: £36.4 million), representing a
Net LTV of 9.8% (31 December 2023: 4.7%)
· Available liquidity of £154.2 million (31 December 2023: £192.2 million),
with no major refinancing requirements until 2027
· Continuing to use capital light funding structures, including Option and
Planning Promotion Agreements ("PPAs"), to facilitate growth and maximise
returns
Growth targets underpinned by strong planning progress and extensive land
pipeline
· Land pipeline now has the potential to deliver 38.8 million sq. ft. of
Industrial & Logistics space and 26,639 plots for new homes, the largest
Industrial & Logistics pipeline in the Group's history
· Planning permission secured for 1.8 million sq. ft. and 500 plots, plus a
further 1.5 million sq. ft. and 185 plots post period end
· New draft allocations or allocations in local plans for 5.7 million sq. ft.
and 2,875 plots
· An additional 6.4 million sq. ft. and 2,269 plots progressing through the
planning system and awaiting determination
Increased strategic focus on Industrial & Logistics Major Developments
programme
· As at 30 June 2024, the consented Industrial & Logistics land portfolio
increased to 8.1 million sq. ft., of which 5.9 million sq. ft. is in Major
Developments (31 December 2023: 4.6 million sq. ft.), following transfers of
1.3 million sq. ft. from Strategic Land
· 0.5 million sq. ft. of Grade A space is currently in development or expected
to start in the next 12 months, following practical completion post period end
of 0.1 million sq. ft. of pre-let space
· Enabling works currently underway for 2.2 million sq. ft. of direct
development on several Major Development sites, plus further enabling works
underway at Skelton Grange in relation to the Microsoft serviced land sale
· The current Industrial & Logistics land pipeline has the potential to
deliver £5 billion of Gross Development Value (GDV)((5))
· By the end of 2027 the consented Industrial & Logistics pipeline has the
ability to deliver £0.8 billion of GDV
On track to achieve 100% Grade A core Investment Portfolio by the end of 2027;
targeting £0.9 billion portfolio by the end of 2029
· The Investment Portfolio value increased 4.4% to £231.2 million, of which 37%
is Grade A (31 December 2023: £221.4 million and 37% Grade A)
· Net initial yield increased to 5.9% (2023: 5.7%) whilst net equivalent yield
reduced marginally to 7.0% (2023: 7.1%) continuing to provide reversion
potential
· 83,000 sq. ft. of Grade A Industrial & Logistics development completed in
the 12 months prior to 30 June 2024 was retained in the Investment Portfolio,
with 100% now let, exchanged or in heads of terms, broadly in line with or at
a premium to, December 2023 estimated rental values (ERV)
· 94% of the 0.5 million sq. ft. of Grade A space currently in development, or
due to start in the next 12 months, is expected to be retained in the Group's
Investment Portfolio, of which 38% is pre-let or being constructed for an
owner-occupier, and is anticipated to generate additional annualised rental
income of £5.4 million
· EPRA vacancy rate of 6.3% (31 December 2023: 9.9%), reduces to 3.9% excluding
units completed in the last 12 months (31 December 2023: 1.2%), and 98% of
rent due in H1 2024 collected
Committed to sustainable development
· In April, Harworth published its 2023 Net Zero Carbon (NZC) Pathway Progress
report, alongside its Communities Framework, laying out its commitment to
local communities and the progress made against its sustainability target of
being operationally NZC by 2030 and NZC for all emissions by 2040
· Completed the planting of over 108,000 trees in collaboration with the
Forestry Commission at its Chevington North site in Northumberland and
recently opened a new 350-acre Country Park in Thoresby Vale
Strategy evolution
Evolution of strategy to increase the focus on Industrial & Logistics
development and retain more prime Grade A properties in the Group's Investment
Portfolio, which is now targeted to grow to £0.9 billion by the end of 2029,
with growth accelerating from 2026 onwards as the next generation of
Industrial & Logistics sites move through the cycle.
· Increased retention of directly developed Grade A properties will be the main
driver of growth in the Investment Portfolio, supplemented by selective
acquisitions to support this strategy and accelerate the transition to Grade A
across the existing portfolio
· As the Investment Portfolio grows the Group expects the increase in recurring
earnings to allow increased dividends to be declared in future years
· Whilst the Board intends to continue to review the dividend policy annually,
anticipated dividend growth is not expected to impact the Group's ability to
deliver capital growth and maximise returns
· With this increased focus on Industrial & Logistics assets, the Group
expects its balance sheet to be weighted over 85% towards Industrial &
Logistics by the end of 2029, compared to just over 60% at 31 December 2023
· To provide a steady funding platform for the growth of its core Industrial
& Logistics portfolio Harworth will continue to create value from sales of
high-quality serviced land
Analyst and investor presentation
Harworth will host a presentation for analysts and investors at 9:30AM today,
12 September 2024. A live webcast and playback can be accessed on the
following link:
https://brrmedia.news/HWG_HY_24
(https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbrrmedia.news%2FHWG_HY_24&data=05%7C02%7Clpassby%40harworthgroup.com%7C515f6954589c4442a91d08dccccc8130%7C5fc64be3a587436480ed549be821ab19%7C0%7C0%7C638610425940232942%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=IK5y3rG3o0r65M%2FMuAjW%2Fi1Oy5T3kqCv%2FvD4MIh%2FuWM%3D&reserved=0)
Notes:
(1) European Public Real Estate Association ('EPRA') Net Disposal Value ('NDV')
(2) Harworth discloses both statutory and alternative performance measures
('APMs'), a full description of, and reconciliation to, the APMs is set out in
Note 2 to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements and the
appendix
(3) The Ex-dividend date, Record date and Payment date for the 2024 interim
dividend can be found in the Shareholder Information section of this
announcement
(4) Source: JLL UK Big Box Industrial & Logistics Market Update
(5) Gross Development Value (GDV) is an estimate of value to be delivered on
completion of the building or development
For further information
Harworth Group plc
Lynda Shillaw (Chief Executive)
T: +44 (0) 7436 167 285
Kitty Patmore (Chief Financial Officer)
E: investors@harworthgroup.com
Luke Passby (Head of Investor Relations & Communications)
FTI Consulting
Dido Laurimore
T: +44 (0) 20 3727 1000
Richard Gotla
E: Harworth@fticonsulting.com
Eve Kirmatzis
About Harworth
Listed on the equity shares (commercial companies) category of the Main Market
of the London Stock Exchange, Harworth Group plc (LSE: HWG) is a leading
sustainable regenerator of land and property for development and investment
which owns, develops and manages a portfolio of over 14,000 acres of land on
over 100 sites located throughout the North of England and Midlands. The Group
specialises in the regeneration of large, complex sites, in particular former
industrial sites, into new Industrial & Logistics and Residential
developments to create sustainable places where people want to live and work,
supporting new homes, jobs and communities across the regions and delivering
long-term value for all stakeholders. Visit www.harworthgroup.com for further
information. LEI: 213800R8JSSGK2KPFG21.
Chief Executive's Review
For the six months ended 30 June 2024
Harworth has delivered a strong first half reflecting the operational progress
achieved across the business as we continue to unlock value from our land and
property portfolio. We continue to deliver against the four strategic pillars
we set out in 2021 and remain on track to deliver an EPRA NDV of £1 billion
by the end of 2027. We are now half way through our strategic plan, and as
such we recently reviewed our long term guidance and targets with a view to
providing more detail on the evolution of the growth strategy.
The optimised strategy still sees us reach £1 billion EPRA NDV by the end of
2027 but with increased focus on Industrial & Logistics direct development
and an intention to retain more of that space to build an Investment Portfolio
of £0.9 billion by the end of 2029. Whilst we expect to continue to maintain
high single to low double digit total returns in the medium term, this
strategy will enable us to announce increased dividends as recurring income
grows, which is expected to optimise shareholder returns.
Our markets
Harworth's focus markets are the Industrial & Logistics (land sales,
direct development and investment) and Residential (land sales) sectors. Both
remain fundamental to enabling growth in the UK economy, and the policy themes
of the new Government reflect the need to drive investment across the UK to
create new homes and jobs and decarbonise the economy. While it is early days,
in general the mood feels more positive across both of our markets, as
alongside political stability, we have seen inflation ease and the first rate
cut take effect in August: all of which are key to driving an increase in
investor interest in the UK. We do however remain watchful until more detail
of the new Government's plans and its funding proposals are visible, and any
impact on the industry can be assessed.
In the Industrial & Logistics sector, the structural drivers of demand
seen in recent years remain intact, driven by the growth of e-commerce,
on-shoring and near-shoring still present coupled with an increasing focus
amongst occupiers on securing modern and sustainable spaces for manufacturing,
with power connection and availability being a key factor. Recent research
from Savills shows that prime yield indicators have remained broadly stable
with a positive outlook for the industrial sub-sectors and are expected to
remain stable at least until the October 2024 Budget, or until further rate
cuts. The expectation of further rate cuts and stable pricing, combined with
rising confidence in economic fundamentals that drive tenant demand, could
create the environment for improvements in yields in this sector towards the
end of the year, although this is by no means certain.
Our Industrial & Logistics serviced land remains in high demand, evidenced
by the conditional sale of two land parcels to Microsoft for £106.6 million,
our largest sale to date. We were able to bring forward this site by
progressing it through planning, recognising its attributes including power
availability, securing an occupier and collaborating with key stakeholders.
In the wider market, Industrial & Logistics supply has increased in the
first half with a vacancy rate in our regions of between 6% and 9% as a result
of speculative completions in H1 2024 alongside second hand space returning to
the market. Despite this, the North West had the lowest vacancy rate in the UK
in Q2((7)) and the Midlands region contributed over half of all Q2 take up in
this sector((8)).
Demand for build-to-suit units has remained strong in our regions supported by
increased take up for existing units with a focus from occupiers on
high-quality Grade A space: in the North West, 91% of take up in 2024 so far
has been Grade A space. There is evidence that new build high-quality
speculative units showed significantly shorter void periods compared to second
hand units.
With take-up improving, vacancy rates are expected to trend downwards into
2025. Throughout the period we continued to engage proactively with commercial
occupiers to understand demand for pre-let commitments and to collaborate with
occupiers and partners who engage us for build-to-suit development. This
engagement has highlighted the resilient nature of occupier demand and the
opportunity for future rental growth.
In the Residential sector, consumer demand remains subdued with mortgage
approvals still slightly below pre-pandemic levels as a result of prevailing
mortgage costs, challenging affordability, and lower consumer confidence,
albeit we have seen mortgage rates fall in recent months. Nationwide data
recently showed that house prices continue to increase, with annual growth
reaching 2.1% in the year to July.
We have continued to see strong demand for our serviced Residential land from
a wide range of housebuilders, both national and regional, at prices in line
with December 2023 book values, highlighting the high-quality and de-risked
nature of our land parcels. While the proposed planning reforms are welcomed,
the current planning system continues to drive lower levels of applications
for major schemes, and therefore the supply of consented land across the
market remains increasingly constrained.
Operational performance
During the period we achieved planning permission for 1.8 million sq. ft. of
Industrial & Logistics space along with 500 Residential plots, and a
further 1.5 million sq. ft. of Industrial & Logistics space and 185
Residential plots post period end. These planning achievements are key to
delivering the next phase of development across our sites. The demand for our
serviced product remains strong and we continue to receive high levels of
interest. At the time of reporting, land sales completed, exchanged, or in
heads of terms, are at 145% of the full year budget and at prices in line with
December 2023 book values. Land sales continue to provide a stable funding
channel for our Industrial & Logistics direct development programme.
Our extensive land pipeline now has the potential to deliver 38.8 million sq.
ft. of Industrial & Logistics space, the largest commercial pipeline we
have held to date, and 26,639 plots for new homes. The pipeline has been
de-risked, with 65% of the Industrial & Logistics sq. ft. and 48% of the
Residential plots having either a planning consent, currently progressing
through the planning system, or being allocated or holding a draft allocation.
During this first half, we saw progression of local plans resulting in
allocations or draft allocations of 5.7 million sq. ft. and 2,875 plots. This
was alongside planning consents for 3.3 million sq. ft. and 685 plots received
in the year to date. A further 6.4 million sq. ft. and 2,269 plots are
currently progressing through the planning system awaiting determination. With
a potential £5 billion of Gross Development Value expected from the
Industrial & Logistics pipeline, this highlights the intrinsic value still
to be unlocked from our land and property portfolio.
As at 30 June 2024, across our Industrial & Logistics development sites we
had 0.6 million sq. ft. of Grade A Industrial & Logistics space in
development, or expected to start in the next 12 months. 84% of that is
expected to be retained for investment purposes, generating an additional
£1.7 million of annualised rental income. Of this space, 0.1 million sq. ft.
was pre-let and reached practical completion post period end, contributing
£0.6 million of annualised rental income. We expect a further 0.1 million sq.
ft. to complete in the next 12 months. In addition to this, enabling works are
underway on a further 2.2 million sq. ft. of our next generation Industrial
& Logistics sites, excluding the work ongoing at Skelton Grange in
relation to the Microsoft land sale.
Letting activity remains strong, with an EPRA vacancy rate of 6.3% (31
December 2023: 9.9%), which reduces to 3.9% excluding units completed in the
last 12 months (31 December 2023: 1.2%), and 98% of rent due in H1 2024 has
been collected.
We are committed to our sustainability targets and our framework, The Harworth
Way, integrates sustainability and social value into our business and the
developments we create. A key element to our approach is placemaking. This is
the work we do across our sites that makes them places where people want to
live and work. It is at the heart of what we do, drives value for our
communities and our shareholders, and is critical to the success of our
schemes. All our schemes have placemaking initiatives; within the highlights
of what has been delivered so far this year is the planting of over 108,000
trees with the help of the local community at Chevington North,
Northumberland, in partnership with the Forestry Commission, and the opening
of a new 350 acre country park at our Thoresby Vale development in
Nottinghamshire. This benefits from a purpose-built forest style school
alongside commercial and leisure spaces, as well as over 100 acres of restored
heathland, now one of the UK's most threatened habitats.
Financial performance
During the period our land portfolio delivered £47.0 million of value gains
(H1 2023: £7.5 million), with the increase being driven largely by management
actions against a stable market backdrop. As a result, EPRA NDV per share((6))
increased 3.5% to 212.3p at 30 June 2024, up 8.5% compared to H1 2023. This
translates to a total return of 4.0% for the half (H1 2023: 0.1%).
Sales of serviced land and property, in addition to development management
revenues and income from rent, royalties and fees, resulted in Group revenue
of £41.3 million (H1 2023: £18.2 million). The increase is largely driven by
higher land sales and at the time of reporting we have completed, exchanged or
are in heads of terms on 145% of budgeted sales.
The Board is proposing an interim dividend of 0.489p per share, representing
10% growth from 2023, in line with our existing dividend policy. We recently
announced an evolution of our growth strategy and a target to grow our
Investment Portfolio to £0.9 billion by the end of 2029. As we deliver
against this goal we expect the growth in recurring income will allow
increased dividends to be declared.
We continue to maintain a strong balance sheet and financial position, with
significant available liquidity of £154.2 million as at 30 June 2024 (31
December 2023: £192.2 million) and no major refinancing events until 2027.
Our LTV at period-end was 9.8% (31 December 2023: 4.7%) reflecting our typical
profile of higher debt drawings in the middle of the year and this flexibility
allows us to be dynamic and opportunistic in our approach to achieving our
growth ambitions.
Strategy and Outlook
While there are still uncertainties in the economic outlook for the UK, there
are some encouraging signs that inflationary pressures are easing and interest
rates have started coming down. The new government's proposed reforms of
planning policy and support for economic growth and increased housing delivery
should be positive for the real estate sector, but we are yet to see the
detail.
We continue to see strong demand for our serviced land as well as our energy
efficient Grade A Industrial & Logistics units across our regions. Whilst
affordability challenges continue to weigh on house buyer demand, our sites
are located in more affordable regions and we have a strong track record for
delivering high-quality serviced Residential land which is ready to build on
once acquired.
Harworth is a long-term through-the-cycle business with a significant
landbank, currently capable of delivering 38.8 million sq. ft. of Grade A
Industrial & Logistics space with the potential to create £5 billion of
GDV, as well as 26,639 Residential plots. Our market leading shareholder
returns are driven by long term value creation through management actions
across our developments, such as achieving planning permission, completing
remediation and infrastructure works, or directly developing our own
commercial units. It is our extensive landbank, combined with our specialist
skillset, that enables us to deliver these successful schemes and unlock value
from our land.
As flagged at the outset of my statement, the evolved strategy targets an
Investment Portfolio of £0.9 billion by the end of 2029. This growth will
come predominantly from our controlled near term pipeline of sites and will be
funded from cash generated from our land and property sales supplemented by
our corporate and site specific funding lines. A focus on development may
result in more in-year cyclicality in debt drawings and a larger Investment
Portfolio will provide the opportunity to operate a debt gearing level in line
with the market for that part of the portfolio however we do not anticipate an
overall material shift in our conservative gearing approach.
We will continue to optimise the value from our portfolio and expect to
continue to maintain high single to low double digit total returns in the
medium term. We expect this strategy will enable us to announce increased
dividends as recurring income grows thereby optimising shareholder returns.
As the Investment Portfolio grows in scale, we would expect Strategic Land to
make up a smaller proportion of our portfolio compared to its proportion
today. We will continue to make acquisitions of land to contribute to our
pipeline and enable us to continue to deliver high-quality development schemes
and we anticipate that by 2029 Industrial & Logistics will be 85% of our
total land and property portfolio.
Our extensive consented pipeline enables growth in direct development,
accelerated in the outer years of the plan, and we are well positioned as we
enter the second phase of our growth strategy to reach £1 billion EPRA NDV by
the end of 2027.
Strategic pillar 2024 Progress((9)) 2027 Target Strategy evolution
1. Increasing direct development of Industrial & Logistics space 0.1 million sq. ft. complete and pre-let, 0.5 million sq. ft. in development 0.8 million sq. ft. Continue to focus on increasing direct development of Industrial &
or expected to start in the next 12 months and 2.2 million sq. ft. being
Logistics Grade A units, building more on balance sheet to grow the Investment
enabled for future development developed on average Portfolio
per year
2. Accelerating sales and broadening the range of Residential products Residential land sales for 489 plots completed 2,000 plots sold Focus on acceleration, driving returns and providing a self-generating source
of funding for direct development
on average per year
3. Scaling up land acquisitions and promotion Maintained 12-15 year land supply Maintain a land supply Continue to maintain a land pipeline that enables scale and value creation
through selective acquisitions, including partnerships and capital light
of 12-15 years structures
4. Repositioning Investment Portfolio to modern Grade A 37% of portfolio Grade A Targeting 100% Grade A core Investment Portfolio As well as repositioning to 100% Grade A, also targeting £0.9 billion
Investment Portfolio by the end of 2029 to provide increased recurring
earnings and optimise future shareholder return
Finally, and importantly, Harworth cannot consistently deliver the progress
that we do without our people and I would like to thank all of my colleagues
who work collaboratively across the business and with our external
stakeholders, to ensure we continue to be successful. The progress that we
have made so far this year is a testament to their dedication, determination,
specialist skills, and teamwork, and it is those attributes that enable
Harworth to achieve our long term strategic goals and create value for our
shareholders.
(6) A full description and reconciliation of the APMs is included in Note 2 to the
condensed consolidated interim financial statements and the appendix
(7) Source: CBRE's Q2 Logistics Market report
(8) Source: JLL UK Big Box Industrial & Logistics Market Update
(9) As at the reporting date
Lynda Shillaw
Chief Executive
12 September 2024
Operational Review
For the six months ended 30 June 2024
Industrial & Logistics Land portfolio
At 30 June 2024, the Industrial & Logistics pipeline totalled 38.8 million
sq. ft. (31 December 2023: 37.7 million sq. ft.), of which 8.1 million sq. ft.
was consented (31 December 2023: 6.1 million sq. ft.), and 7.9 million sq. ft.
was in the planning system awaiting determination (31 December 2023: 10.1
million sq. ft.). The pipeline was 58% owned freehold, 38% controlled via
options, and 4% controlled via PPAs or other.
Planning progress
During the period, planning approval was secured for 1.8 million sq. ft. of
Industrial & Logistics space across two sites, with a further 1.5 million
sq. ft. achieving outline planning consent post period end. Sites continued to
move through the planning system with allocations received for 3.5 million sq.
ft. in the North West under the Places for Everyone Greater Manchester Spatial
Framework and draft allocations for 2.3 million sq. ft. in the Midlands.
Two significant planning applications currently remain in the system awaiting
determination, totalling 6.4 million sq. ft.
Direct development
As at 30 June 2024, 0.6 million sq. ft. of Grade A space was in development or
expected to start in the next 12 months, post period end 0.1 million sq. ft.
reached practical completion and a further 0.1 million sq. ft. is expected to
complete in the next 12 months. The units will all be delivered to Harworth's
sustainable commercial building specification, targeting EPC A and BREEAM
Excellent certifications, with whole life carbon assessments and renewable
energy provision incorporated into the design.
Enabling works are currently underway for 2.2 million sq. ft. of direct
development on several Major Development sites, plus further enabling works
underway at Skelton Grange in relation to the Microsoft serviced land sale.
Land sales
In June, 48 acres of Industrial & Logistics land was conditionally sold
for £106.6 million, with pricing significantly ahead of book value.
Acquisitions
0.5 million sq. ft. of Industrial & Logistics Strategic Land was secured
for £0.1 million, the land is controlled via an Option agreement. In
addition, the freehold ownership at Cinderhill has increased with the
acquisition of 25 acres of land, this enables the delivery of the wider scheme
that includes Industrial & Logistics space.
Residential Land portfolio
At 30 June 2024, the Residential pipeline totalled 26,639 plots (31 December
2023: 27,190 plots), of which 5,445 plots were consented (31 December 2023:
5,296 plots), and 2,454 plots were in the planning system awaiting
determination (31 December 2023: 1,774 plots). Development continues to
progress on the first mixed tenure sites sold by way of forward funding
agreements. The pipeline was 48% owned freehold, with the remainder controlled
via options, PPAs or other.
Planning progress
During the period, planning approval was secured for 500 residential plots
under a PPA agreement. An allocation was received for 600 homes in the North
West and a draft allocation was secured for the mixed-use Diseworth site in
the East Midlands for 2,275 homes.
Six significant planning applications currently remain in the system awaiting
determination, totalling 2,269 plots.
Land sales
Completed 357 plot sales of serviced land for proceeds of £24.0 million, in
line with December 2023 book values, and a further 132 plots post period end.
At the reporting date, 114% of budgeted residential land sales for the year
completed, exchanged or in heads of terms.
Acquisitions
During the period, the Group increased the freehold ownership at Cinderhill
with the acquisition of 25 acres of land, which enables the delivery of the
wider scheme that includes Residential serviced land.
Post period end, the Group acquired a former brickworks site in Bedfordshire
for total consideration of £30.6 million payable over 2 years. This is a near
term site which has outline planning permission for the delivery of 1,000
homes, offering the opportunity to create value and generate cash to fund the
broader direct development programme.
Investment Portfolio
This portfolio comprises both Industrial & Logistics assets that have been
acquired by Harworth and, increasingly, those that have been directly
developed and retained. It provides recurring rental income in addition to
asset management opportunities and the potential for capital value growth.
As at 30 June 2024, the Investment Portfolio comprised 11 sites covering 2.5
million sq. ft. (31 December 2023: 11 sites covering 2.5 million sq. ft.). It
generated £14.4 million of annualised rent (31 December 2023: £14.1
million), equating to a gross yield of 6.2% (31 December 2023: 6.3%) and a net
initial yield of 5.9% (31 December 2023: 5.7%). Annualised rent for the
portfolio increased during the period as a result of recent lettings secured.
Grade A space represented 37% of the Investment Portfolio (31 December 2023:
37%).
Completions and acquisitions
Of the 0.1 million sq. ft. of Industrial & Logistics Grade A space
completed post-period end and the 0.1 million sq. ft. expected to complete in
the 12 months, 84% is expected to be retained to the Group's Investment
Portfolio and is anticipated to generate additional annualised rental income
of £1.7 million.
Lettings
During the period, 47,000 sq. ft. of leasing deals were completed (H1 2023:
300,000 sq. ft.), adding a net £0.3 million of annualised rent. New lettings,
renewals and reviews were completed at an average 0.7% premium to estimated
rental values (ERV).
Across the Investment Portfolio, operational metrics remain robust. The
portfolio weighted average rent is £6.20 per sq. ft. (31 December 2023:
£5.75) and rent collection currently stands at 98% for the year to date (31
December 23: 98%). EPRA vacancy was 6.3% at 30 June 2024 (31 December 2023:
9.9%), reduced to 3.9% excluding space completed in the preceding 12 months
(31 December 2023: 1.2%); while the weighted average unexpired lease term
(WAULT) was 11.8 years (31 December 2023: 12.9 years).
Natural Resources Land portfolio
Harworth's Natural Resources portfolio comprises sites used by occupiers for a
wide range of energy production and extraction purposes, including wind and
solar energy schemes and battery storage as part of the Group's Energy &
Natural Capital strategy. The aim is to grow this portfolio, alongside
strategic partners where appropriate, through developing renewable energy
generation solutions and other sustainability initiatives such as battery
storage, solar, EV charging, multi-fuel hubs and reforestation/rewilding. The
strategy has a wider focus on embedding these energy concepts and
future-proofing principles across all of Harworth's sites to maximise energy
availability and resilience, create economic value, and help fulfil the
Group's Net Zero Carbon (NZC) ambitions.
As at 30 June 2024, the Natural Resources portfolio had an annualised rental
income of £2.1 million (31 December 2023: £1.8 million).
Net Zero Carbon Pathway
In 2022, the Group committed to becoming NZC for Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3
business travel emissions by 2030 and to being NZC for all emissions by 2040.
To meet these objectives, the Group has developed a NZC pathway and embedded
commitments into a range of workstreams and targets to guide the Group's
growth strategy in the development of Industrial & Logistics and
Residential sites.
Further information on The Harworth Way and the Group's NZC pathway can be
found within the 2023 Annual Report and standalone 2023 NZC Pathway Progress
Report, which were both published in April 2024.
Financial Review
For the six months ended 30 June 2024
Overview
Our first half financial performance delivered a Total Return (the movement in
EPRA NDV((10)) plus dividends per share paid in the period expressed as a
percentage of opening EPRA NDV per share) of 4.0% (H1 2023: 0.1%)
demonstrating continued consistent value creation. Positive revaluation gains
achieved across the portfolio, including the conditional sale at Skelton
Grange to Microsoft announced in June 2024 and planning progress in the
period, were partially offset by net operating costs, interest costs, tax and
dividends, driving EPRA NDV growth to 212.3p per share (31 December 2023:
205.1p).
Sales of serviced land and property, in addition to development management
revenues and income from rent, royalties and fees, resulted in Group revenue
of £41.3 million during the period (H1 2023: £18.2 million). Looking
forward, the sales profile is robust, with 145% of 2024 budgeted sales already
completed, exchanged or in heads of terms at the time of reporting (H1 2023:
98%).
Successful asset management initiatives on the Investment Portfolio delivered
a like-for-like increase in annualised rental income of 2.4%.
The fair value of investment properties increased by £26.7 million (H1 2023:
£15.0 million increase), which contributed to an underlying operating profit
of £21.1 million (H1 2023: £8.0 million) and profit after tax of £14.8
million (H1 2023: £2.8 million).
The Group has declared an interim dividend of 0.489p (H1 2023: 0.444p) per
share, representing a 10% growth from H1 2023, in line with our existing
dividend policy.
BNP Paribas and Savills, our independent valuers, completed a desktop
valuation of our portfolio as at 30 June 2024, resulting in first half
valuation gains((10)) of £46.6 million (H1 2023: £11.1 million gains),
including the movement in the market value of development properties. These
gains were the result of management actions including progress on development
sites, obtaining planning permissions, progressing direct development schemes
and asset management initiatives, against the backdrop of a relatively stable
market. However, the revaluation gains were partially offset by continued
increases in costs to deliver our sites, predominantly driven by services
inflation. Beyond valuation movements, profits on sales, after adjusting for
selling costs and an increase in the estimate of shared infrastructure costs
attributable to prior period sales, were £0.4 million (H1 2023: loss of £3.5
million) demonstrating continued demand for sites in line with December 2023
book values. This gave total value gains of £47.0 million (H1 2023: £7.5
million) in the period.
Over the period, net asset value grew to £650.0 million (31 December 2023:
£637.7 million). With EPRA adjustments for development property valuations
included, EPRA NDV at 30 June 2024 increased to £687.0 million (31 December
2023: £662.9 million) representing a per share increase of 3.5% to 212.3p (31
December 2023: 205.1p).
The Group remains well capitalised and as at 30 June 2024 had available
liquidity of £154.2 million (31 December 2023: £192.2 million). Net debt was
£80.5 million (31 December 2023: £36.4 million), reflecting the typical
profile of higher drawdowns mid-year, resulting in a net loan to portfolio
value at 30 June 2024 of 9.8% (31 December 2023: 4.7%), well below our maximum
target of 20%. At period end, 25% of the Group's drawn debt was subject to
fixed rates (31 December 2023: 35%). We currently do not have interest rate
hedging in place against drawings under our Revolving Credit Facility (RCF),
although this continues to remain under review.
(10) A full description and reconciliation of the APMs is included in Note 2 to the
condensed consolidated interim financial statements and the appendix
Presentation of financial information
As our property portfolio includes development properties and joint venture
arrangements, Alternative Performance Measures (APMs) can provide valuable
insight into our business alongside statutory measures. In particular,
revaluation gains on development properties are not recognised in the
Consolidated Income Statement and the Balance Sheet. The APMs outlined below
measure movements in development property revaluations, overages and joint
ventures. We believe that these APMs assist in providing stakeholders with
additional useful disclosure on the underlying trends, performance and
position of the Group.
Our key APMs are:
· Total Return: the movement in EPRA NDV plus dividends per share paid in the
period expressed as a percentage of opening EPRA NDV per share.
· EPRA NDV per share: EPRA NDV aims to represent shareholder value under an
orderly sale of the business, where deferred tax, financial instruments and
certain other adjustments are calculated to the full extent of their liability
net of any resulting tax. EPRA NDV per share is EPRA NDV divided by the number
of shares in issue at the end of the period (less shares held by the Employee
Benefit Trust or Equiniti Share Plan Trustees Limited to satisfy Restricted
Share Plan and Share Incentive Plan awards.)
· Value gains: the realised profits from the sales of properties and unrealised
profits from property valuation movements including joint ventures, and the
mark-to-market movement on development properties and overages.
· Net loan to portfolio value: Group debt net of cash held expressed as a
percentage of portfolio value.
A full description of all non-statutory measures and reconciliations between
all statutory and non-statutory measures are provided in Note 2 to the
condensed consolidated interim financial statements and the appendix.
Our financial reporting is aligned to our business units of Capital Growth and
Income Generation, with items which are not directly allocated to specific
business activities held centrally and presented separately.
Income statement
H1 2024 H1 2023
Capital growth Income generation Central overheads Total Capital growth Income generation Central overheads Total
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Revenue 31.1 10.3 - 41.3 4.3 13.9 - 18.2
Cost of sales (31.5) (2.6) - (34.1) (6.1) (3.5) - (9.6)
Gross profit (0.5) 7.7 - 7.2 (1.8) 10.4 - 8.6
Administrative expenses (3.2) (1.4) (12.2) (16.8) (2.2) (2.3) (9.8) (14.3)
Other gains 23.2 7.5 - 30.7 12.5 1.3 - 13.8
Operating profit/(loss) 19.6 13.8 (12.3) 21.1 8.5 9.4 (9.8) 8.0
Share of (loss)/profit of JVs (0.7) 1.1 - 0.4 (0.9) 0.1 - (0.8)
Net interest credit/(expense) 0.7 - (3.5) (2.8) 0.3 - (3.1) (2.8)
Profit/(loss) before tax 19.6 14.9 (15.8) 18.7 7.9 9.5 (12.9) 4.5
Tax charge - - (3.9) (3.9) - - (1.6) (1.6)
Profit/(loss) after tax 19.6 14.9 (19.7) 14.8 7.9 9.5 (14.5) 2.8
Note: There are minor differences on some totals due to roundings.
Capital Growth revenue, which primarily relates to the sale of development
properties, increased during the period as a result of the serviced land sales
at Ironbridge, Simpson Park and Waverley. Where consideration relating to
development property sales is deferred, a reduction to revenue is made to
reflect the imputed interest element, with revenue recognised as interest
income in future periods; this resulted in a £2.0 million downward adjustment
to revenue during this period (H1 2023: £nil). H1 2024 also saw revenues
generated from build-to-suit development of £6.9 million (H1 2023: £nil).
Revenue from the Income Generation portfolio (the Investment Portfolio,
Natural Resources and Agriculture) mainly comprises property rental and
royalty income. At £10.3 million it was lower than the same period in the
prior year (H1 2023: £13.9 million), reflecting the full period impact of
successful Investment Portfolio sales during 2023. Revenue from the Income
Generation portfolio for the first half included the impact of new lettings
related to direct development and asset management initiatives, as well as
royalties from energy assets. Rental income from the Investment Portfolio
increased on an annualised basis from £14.1 million at 31 December 2023 to
£14.4 million, reflecting asset management initiatives across the portfolio.
On a like for like basis, rent grew by 2.4%.
Cost of sales comprises the inventory cost of development property sales and
both the direct and recoverable service charge costs of the Income Generation
business. Cost of sales increased to £34.1 million (H1 2023: £9.6 million),
of which £24.8 million related to the inventory cost of development property
sales (H1 2023: £5.3 million). H1 2024 also included additional costs related
to build-to-suit development. In the period, we saw a small decrease in the
net realisable value provision on development properties of £0.7 million (H1
2023: £0.3 million increase) following the valuation process as at 30 June
2024 which reflected the impact of management actions across development
sites.
Administrative expenses increased in the period by £2.4 million (H1 2023:
£3.4 million increase). This included the impact of increased employee
numbers as well as the impact of inflationary cost increases and costs
incurred in relation to strategic workstreams. Administrative expenses
expressed as a percentage of underlying revenue over the 12 months to 30 June
2024 was 21%, increasing from 14% for the 12 months to 30 June 2023,
reflecting the increases in costs as well as the timing of revenue generating
activity.
Other gains comprised a £26.5 million combined net increase (H1 2023: £14.8
million) in the fair value of investment properties and assets held for sale
(AHFS) and profit on sale of overages of £4.2 million (H1 2023: £nil) in
addition to the profit on sale of investment properties and AHFS of £0.1
million including transaction fees (H1 2023: loss on sale of £1.1 million).
Non-statutory value gains/(losses)
Value gains/(losses) are made up of profit/(loss) on sale, revaluation
gains/(losses) on investment properties (including joint ventures), and
revaluation gains/(losses) on development properties, AHFS and overages. A
reconciliation between statutory and non-statutory value gains can be found in
the appendix to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements.
H1 2024 H1 2023 30 June 2024 31 December 2023
Capital growth Category Profit/ Reval. gains/ (losses) Total Profit on sale Reval. gains/ (losses) Total Total valuation Total valuation
£m (loss) on sale
Residential Major Developments Development 0.3 9.2 9.5 (2.3) (2.2) (4.5) 220.2 210.5
Industrial & Logistics Major Developments Mixed (0.2) 6.7 6.5 (0.2) (2.3) (2.5) 162.1 136.0
Residential Strategic Land Investment 0.2 3.3 3.5 (0.1) 3.3 3.2 55.7 51.6
Industrial & Logistics Strategic Land Investment 0.2 18.6 18.8 - 9.9 9.9 123.6 105.9
H1 2024 H1 2023 30 June 2024 31 December 2023
Income generation Category Profit/ Reval. gains/ (losses) Total Profit on sale Reval. gains/ (losses) Total Total valuation Total valuation
£m (loss) on sale
Investment Portfolio Investment - 8.2 8.2 (0.9) 2.5 1.6 231.2 221.4
Natural Resources Investment - 0.2 0.2 - (0.2) (0.2) 21.1 21.6
Agricultural Land Investment (0.1) 0.4 0.3 - 0.1 0.1 7.9 21.1
Profit on sale of £0.4 million (H1 2023: £3.5 million loss), after adjusting
for selling costs and an increase in the estimate of shared infrastructure
costs attributable to prior period sales, reflected the completion of sales in
line with December 2023 book values. Revaluation gains were £46.6 million (H1
2023: £11.1 million) and are outlined in the table below.
H1 2024 H1 2023
£m £m
Increase in fair value of investment properties 26.7 15.0
Decrease in fair value of assets held for sale (0.2) (0.2)
Movement in net realisable value provision on development properties (0.3) (0.3)
Contribution to statutory operating profit 26.2 14.6
Share of profit/(loss) of joint ventures 0.4 (0.8)
Unrealised gains/(losses) on development properties and overages((11)) 20.0 (2.7)
Total non-statutory revaluation gains 46.6 11.1
The principal revaluation gains and losses across the divisions reflected the
following:
Industrial & Logistics
Against a relatively stable Industrial & Logistics market during the first
half of 2024, revaluation gains were driven by management actions to progress
strategies across sites. This included progress on serviced land sales, most
notably exchanging contracts for the conditional sale at Skelton Grange to
Microsoft, as well as significant planning progress in the period with
permission achieved for 1.8 million sq. ft. alongside new draft allocations or
allocations in local plans for 5.7 million sq. ft. Occupier demand remained
resilient and market rents across our sites were up. Costs of construction
increases over the period continued to impact gains, but at a lower rate
compared to 2023 with the highest increases predominantly relating to
professional service costs. Combined, this resulted in revaluation gains of
£25.3 million across Industrial & Logistics Major Developments and
Strategic Land (H1 2023: £7.6 million).
Investment Portfolio gains of £8.2 million (H1 2023: £2.5 million) reflected
the impact of our management actions such as new leases on recently completed
direct development alongside the impact of market rental growth. Overall,
these impacts resulted in the net initial yield increasing 20 bps to 5.9% from
5.7% as at 31 December 2023. The equivalent yield decreased from 7.1% to 7.0%.
Residential
Residential land sales continued to demonstrate demand for our serviced land
product and underpinned valuations with our Residential Major Developments
realising gains of £9.2 million (H1 2023: losses of £2.2 million). The
Residential market has seen some mild improvement with Nationwide reporting UK
annualised price increases of 1.5% for the 12 months to June with the Northern
England markets in which Harworth operates showing higher growth supported by
higher affordability. Supply of high-quality serviced land remains constrained
with demand growing from a range of housebuilders. As we saw with Industrial
& Logistics development sites, costs of construction increased over the
period, predominantly related to professional services costs, partly
offsetting the impact of positive house price movements and demand for land.
Residential strategic land gains of £3.3 million (H1 2023: £3.3 million)
reflected planning progress on sites with new draft allocations or allocations
in local plans for 2,875 plots achieved during the period.
Natural Resources
Valuations remained broadly consistent during the period.
Agricultural
We experienced a small valuation increase on retained properties as a result
of improving agricultural land prices. The reduction in the portfolio value
from 31 December 2023 reflects a £13.3 million sale, in line with book value.
Net realisable value provision
The net realisable value provision on development properties as at 30 June
2024 was £13.4 million (31 December 2023: £14.1 million). This provision is
held to reduce the value of seven development properties from their deemed
cost (the fair value at which they were transferred from an investment to a
development categorisation) to their net realisable value at 30 June 2024. The
transfer from investment to development property takes place once planning is
secured and development with a view to sale has commenced.
(11) A full description and reconciliation of the APMs is included in Note 2 to the
condensed consolidated interim financial statements and the appendix
Cash and sales
The Group made property sales((12)) in the period of £41.7 million (H1 2023:
£56.2 million), realising a total profit on sale of £0.4 million (H1 2023:
loss of £3.5 million). Sales comprised residential development sales of
£24.0 million (H1 2023: £4.0 million) and receipts through overages of £4.2
million (H1 2023: £nil). Disposals of income-generating sites where value has
already been maximised through asset management initiatives were £13.3
million (H1 2023: £52.2 million).
Cash proceeds from sales in the period were £30.0 million (H1 2023: £58.2
million) as shown in the table below:
H1 2024 H1 2023
£m £m
Total property sales((12)) 41.7 56.2
Less deferred consideration on sales in the period (13.6) (1.0)
Add receipt of deferred consideration from sales in prior years 1.9 3.0
Total cash proceeds 30.0 58.2
(12) A full description and reconciliation of the APMs is included in Note 2 to the
condensed consolidated interim financial statements and the appendix
Tax
The income statement charge for taxation for the period was £3.9 million (H1
2023: £1.6 million), which comprised a current year tax charge of £nil (H1
2023: £0.3 million) and a deferred tax charge of £3.9 million (H1 2023:
£1.3 million).
The current tax charge reflects the timing of sales activity, coupled with
administrative costs and interest offsetting trading profits during the
period. The increase in deferred tax largely relates to unrealised gains on
investment properties. The deferred tax balance has been calculated based on
the rate expected to apply on the date the liability is reversed.
At 30 June 2024, the Group had deferred tax liabilities of £37.0 million (31
December 2023: £30.6 million) and deferred tax assets of £3.3 million (31
December 2023: £0.5 million). The net deferred tax liability was £33.7
million (31 December 2023: £30.1 million).
Basic earnings per share and dividends
Basic earnings per share for the period increased to 4.6p (H1 2023: 0.9p)
reflecting valuation gains on the land and property portfolio in H1 2024, as
well as increased revenue from land sales compared to H1 2023.
The Board has determined to pay an interim dividend of 0.489p (H1 2023:
0.444p) per share, an increase of 10% in line with the Group's policy.
Property categorisation
Until sites receive planning permission and their future use has been
determined, our view is that the land is held for a currently undetermined
future use and should, therefore, be held as investment property. We
categorise properties and land that have received planning permission, and
where development with a view to sale has commenced, as development
properties.
As at 30 June 2024, the balance sheet value of all our development properties
was £250.5 million (31 December 2023: £250.0 million) and their independent
valuation by BNP Paribas was £294.5 million, reflecting a £44.0 million
cumulative uplift in value since they were classified as development
properties. In order to highlight the market value of development properties,
and overages, and to be consistent with how we state our investment
properties, we use EPRA NDV((13)), which includes the market value of
development properties and overages less notional deferred tax, as our primary
net assets metric.
(13) A full description and reconciliation of the APMs is included in Note 2 to the
condensed consolidated interim financial statements and the appendix
Net asset value
As at As at As at
30 June 2024 30 June 2023 31 December 2023
£m £m £m
Properties 772.5 700.3 734.8
Cash 9.2 8.5 27.2
Trade and other receivables 68.9 57.3 48.6
Other assets 15.9 14.2 13.8
Total assets 866.5 780.3 824.4
Gross borrowings (89.7) (72.1) (63.6)
Deferred tax liability (33.7) (25.5) (30.1)
Other liabilities (93.1) (79.6) (93.0)
Statutory net assets 650.0 603.1 637.7
Mark to market value adjustment on development properties and overages less 37.0 28.1 25.2
notional deferred tax
EPRA NDV((14)) 687.0 631.2 662.9
Number of shares in issue less Employee Benefit Trust & Equiniti Share 323,592,468 322,612,685 323,154,373
Plan Trustees Limited-held shares
EPRA NDV per share((14)) 212.3p 195.7p 205.1p
(14) A full description and reconciliation of the APMs is included in Note 2 to the
condensed consolidated interim financial statements and the appendix
EPRA NDV((15)) at 30 June 2024 was £687.0 million (31 December 2023: £662.9
million), which includes the mark-to-market adjustment on the value of the
development properties and overages. The total portfolio value as at 30 June
2024 was £821.9 million, an increase of £53.7 million from 31 December 2023.
The Group's share of profits from joint ventures of £0.4 million (H1 2023:
£0.8 million loss) resulted in investments in joint ventures increasing to
£32.3 million (31 December 2023: £30.7 million). Trade and other receivables
include deferred consideration on sales as set out previously. At 30 June
2024, deferred consideration of £41.7 million was outstanding (31 December
2023: £28.1 million), of which 39% is due within one year.
The table below sets out ten of our key sites:
Site Site type Categorisation in balance sheet Region Progress
Skelton Grange Major Development / Strategic Land Development Yorkshire & Central 1.1m sq. ft of Industrial & Logistics space consented and conditionally
exchanged with Microsoft
Waverley AMP Investment Portfolio / Major Development Investment Yorkshire & Central 2.1m sq. ft. of Industrial & Logistics space consented, 1.7m built and
retained or sold, 0.4m under or pending construction
South East Coalville Major Development Development Midlands 2,016 Residential units consented, land sold representing 977 units
Benthall Grange, Ironbridge Major Development Development Midlands 1,000 Residential units consented, land sold representing 312 units, further
enabling works underway
Bardon Investment Portfolio Investment Midlands N/A - property is let
Nufarm Investment Portfolio Investment Yorkshire & Central N/A - property is let
Ansty Strategic Land Investment Midlands Proposed Industrial & Logistics site, held under option by a 3(rd) party,
planning submitted
Chatterley Valley Major Development Development North West 1.2m sq. ft. of Industrial & Logistics space consented, enabling works
progressing
Wingates Major Development / Strategic Land Investment North West Up to 1m sq. ft. of Industrial & Logistics space consented on Phase 1 and
enabling works started, wider scheme allocated for commercial use under
Greater Manchester's Places for Everyone
Knowsley Investment Portfolio Investment North West N/A - property is let
(15) A full description and reconciliation of the APMs is included in Note 2 to the
condensed consolidated interim financial statements and the appendix
Financing strategy
Harworth's financing strategy is to remain prudently geared. The core Income
Generation portfolio provides a recurring income source to service debt
facilities and this is supplemented by proceeds from sales. The Group has an
established sales track record that has been built up since re-listing in
2015.
To deliver its strategic plan, the Group has adopted a target net loan to
portfolio value((16)) at year-end of below 20%, with a maximum of 25% in-year.
As a principle, the Group will seek to maintain its cash flows in balance by
funding the majority of infrastructure expenditure through disposal proceeds,
while allowing for growth in the portfolio.
The Group intends to continue to use development and infrastructure loans
alongside its RCF to support its growth strategy.
(16) A full description and reconciliation of the APMs is included in Note 2 to the
condensed consolidated interim financial statements and the appendix
Debt facilities
The Group has a £200 million RCF, together with a £40 million uncommitted
accordion option, which was entered into in 2022. The RCF is provided by
NatWest, Santander and HSBC and is aligned to the Group's strategy, providing
significant liquidity and flexibility to enable us to pursue our strategic
ambitions. The interest rate on the RCF is based on a loan-to-value ratchet
mechanism with a margin payable above SONIA in the range of 2.25% to 2.50%.
The Group has no major refinancing requirements until 2027.
As part of its funding structure, the Group also uses infrastructure financing
provided by public bodies and site-specific direct development loans to
promote the development of major sites and bring forward the development of
Industrial & Logistics units.
The Group had borrowings and loans of £89.7 million at 30 June 2024 (31
December 2023: £63.6 million; 30 June 2023: £72.1 million), being the RCF
drawn balance (net of capitalised loan fees) of £54.0 million (31 December
2023: £33.8 million; 30 June 2023: £43.7 million) and infrastructure or
direct development loans (net of capitalised loan fees) of £35.7 million (31
December 2023: £29.7 million; 30 June 2023: £28.4 million). The Group's cash
balances at 30 June 2024 were £9.2 million (31 December 2023: £27.2 million;
30 June 2023: £8.5 million). The resulting net debt was £80.5 million (31
December 2023: £36.4 million; 30 June 2023: £63.7 million).
Net debt((17)) increased with property expenditure, acquisitions and operating
costs partly offset by the completion of serviced land and property sales. The
movements in net debt over the period are shown below:
H1 2024 H1 2023
£m £m
Opening net debt as at 1 January (36.4) (48.4)
Cash outflow from operations (32.8) (22.4)
Property expenditure and acquisitions (21.1) (28.8)
Disposal of investment property, AHFS and overages 17.5 50.5
Net investment in joint ventures (1.2) -
Interest and loan arrangement fees (2.2) (2.1)
Dividends paid (3.3) (3.0)
Tax paid (0.2) (8.5)
Other cash and non-cash movements (0.8) (1.0)
Closing net debt as at 30 June (80.5) (63.7)
The weighted average cost of the Group's debt, using the average debt balance
in the preceding 12 months and the average rates as at 30 June 2024, was 6.94%
with a 0.9% non-utilisation fee on undrawn RCF amounts (31 December 2023:
6.88% with a 0.9% non-utilisation fee; 30 June 2023: 6.19% with a 0.9%
non-utilisation fee). The weighted average term of drawn debt is now 2.4 years
(31 December 2023: 2.9 years; 30 June 2023: 2.9 years).
The Group's hedging strategy to manage its exposure to interest rate risk is
to hedge the lower of around half its average debt during the year or its net
debt((17)) balance at year-end. At 30 June 2024, 25% (31 December 2023: 35%)
of the Group's drawn debt, reflecting 27% of net debt (31 December 2023: 62%),
was subject to fixed rate interest rates with no hedging instruments in place
on the remaining floating rate debt. Projected drawn debt and hedging
requirements remain under active review with any new hedging to be aligned to
future net debt requirements.
As at 30 June 2024, the Group's gross loan to portfolio value((17)) was 10.9%
(31 December 2023: 8.3%; 30 June 2023: 9.8%) and its net loan to portfolio
value was 9.8% (31 December 2023: 4.7%; 30 June 2023: 8.6%). If gearing is
assessed against the value of the core Income Generation Portfolio (the
Investment Portfolio and Natural Resources portfolio) only, this equates to a
gross loan to core Income Generation portfolio value of 38.3% (31 December
2023: 27.9%; 30 June 2023: 31.7%) and a net loan to core Income Generation
portfolio value of 34.4% (31 December 2023: 15.9%; 30 June 2023: 28.0%). Under
the RCF, the Group could withstand a material fall in portfolio value,
property sales or rental income before reaching covenant levels.
At 30 June 2024, undrawn capacity under the RCF was £145.0 million (31
December 2023: £165.0 million; 30 June 2023: £155.0 million). Going
forwards, the RCF, alongside selected use of infrastructure loans where
appropriate, will continue to provide the Group with sufficient liquidity to
execute our growth strategy.
(17) A full description and reconciliation of the APMs is included in Note 2 to the
condensed consolidated interim financial statements and the appendix
Kitty Patmore
Chief Financial Officer
12 September 2024
Appendix 1: Supplementary operational information
1.1 Top Industrial & Logistics sites (as at 30 June 2024)
Name Location Sold or developed / consented / non-consented Total development at completion (m sq. ft) Estimated potential GDV Forecast completion date
(m sq. ft.) (£m)
Skelton Leeds, West Yorkshire 0.0m / 1.1m / 0.3m 1.4m Confidential to 2027
AMP Rotherham, South Yorkshire 1.7m / 0.4m / 0.0m 2.1m £55m - £65m to 2027
Chatterley Valley Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire 0.0m / 1.2m / 0.0m 1.2m £150m - £160m to 2027
Gascoigne Wood Sherburn-in-Elmet, North Yorkshire 0.0m / 1.5m / 0.5m 2.0m £190m - £200m to 2028
Rothwell Rothwell, Northamptonshire 0.0m / 0.0m / 1.8m 1.8m £290m - £310m to 2028
Wingates Bolton, Greater Manchester 0.0m / 1.0m / 1.5m 2.5m £320m - £370m to 2030
Junction 15, M1 Northampton, Northamptonshire 0.0m / 0.0m / 1.6m 1.6m £235m - £260m to 2030
Gateway 36 Barnsley, South Yorkshire 0.4m / 0.6m / 0.5m 1.5m £130m - £150m to 2033
Northern Gateway Greater Manchester 0.0m / 0.0m / 2.5m 2.5m Confidential 2026 - 2035
North Yorks Site Selby, North Yorkshire 0.0m / 0.0m / 3.0m 3.0m £290m - £340m to 2040
1.2 Top Residential sites (as at 30 June 2024)
Name Location Sold or developed / consented / non-consented Total development at completion (plots) Forecast completion date
(plots)
Waverley Rotherham, South Yorkshire 2,578 /415 / 0 2,993 2025
Moss Nook St Helens, Merseyside 256 /660 / 0 916 2026
Simpson Park Harworth, Nottinghamshire 733 / 731 / 0 1,464 2027
Thoresby Edwinstowe, Newark and Sherwood 650 / 150 / 190 990 2027
Pheasant Hill Park Doncaster, South Yorkshire 645 / 555 / 206 1,406 2028
Benthall Grange, Ironbridge Ironbridge, Shropshire 312 / 688 / 0 1,000 2030
South East Coalville Coalville, Leicestershire 977 / 1,039 / 0 2,016 2031
Huyton Knowsley, Merseyside 0 / 0 / 1,500 1,500 2033
Diseworth West North West Leicestershire 0 / 0 / 2,275 2,275 2035
Cinderhill Denby, Derbyshire 0 / 150 / 1,350 1,500 2039
Appendix 2: Key performance indicators
2.1 Financial track record
KPI H1 2024 result H1 2023 result FY 2023 result H1 2024 performance commentary
Total Return (%)((18))
Growth in EPRA NDV during the year in addition to dividends paid, as a 4.0% 0.1% 5.1% Our total return of 4.0% was the result of a 3.5% increase in EPRA NDV during
proportion of EPRA NDV at the beginning of the year. the year, as well as the payment of a 1.022p dividend.
EPRA Net Disposal Value ('NDV') per share((18))
A European Public Real Estate Association ("EPRA") metric that represents a 212.3p 195.7p 205.1p The increase was driven by management actions, including progressing sales and
net asset valuation where development property is included at fair value planning activity within a relatively stable market backdrop.
rather than cost and deferred tax, financial instruments and other adjustments
as set out in Note 2 and the appendix to the financial statements, are
calculated to the full extent of their liability.
Net asset value((18))
The value of our assets less the value of our liabilities, based on IFRS £650.0 million £603.1 million £637.7 million Net asset value increased as a result of crystalising valuation gains in
measures, which excludes the mark-to-market value of development properties. investment properties.
Net loan to portfolio value ('LTV')((18))
Net debt as a proportion of the aggregate value of properties and investments. 9.8% 8.6% 4.7% Our LTV increased during the period in line with the timing of development and
sales activity, with LTV remaining well within our target of less than 25%
within year as we continued to manage carefully our levels of net debt.
(18) A full description and reconciliation of the APMs is included in Note 2 to the
condensed consolidated interim financial statements and the appendix
Principal risks and uncertainties
A detailed explanation of the Group's risk management framework, the principal
risks and uncertainties affecting the Group and the steps it takes to mitigate
these risks, can be found on pages 48 to 60 of the Annual Report and Financial
Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 (the "2023 Annual Report"),
available at harworthgroup.com/investors/
(http://www.harworthgroup.com/investors/) .
The Board has assessed the principal and emerging risks facing the Group and
considers that there have been no material changes to the risks set out in the
2023 Annual Report.
In light of the recent change in the UK Government and political landscape,
though changes are not expected in the short term, the Board is closely
monitoring the following principal risks: Planning, Statutory costs of
development, Residential and Commercial markets, and Availability of and
competition for strategic sites. A detailed update on all principal risks will
be provided in the Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending
31 December 2024.
Directors' Responsibilities statement
For the six months ended 30 June 2024
The Directors who held office at the date of approval of these Financial
Statements confirm that to the best of their knowledge:
1. the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements have been prepared in
accordance with the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the
Financial Conduct Authority and in accordance with IAS 34 'Interim Financial
Reporting' as contained in UK-adopted international accounting standards; and
2. the Interim Management Report includes a fair review of the information
required by:
(a) Rule 4.2.7R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being an indication of
important events that have occurred during the six months ended 30 June 2024
and their impact on the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements,
and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining
six months of the financial year; and
(b) Rule 4.2.8R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being related party
transactions that have taken place in the six months ended 30 June 2024 and
that have materially affected the financial position or performance of the
Group during that period, and any changes in the related party transactions
described in the last Annual Report and Financial Statements that could do so.
The Directors who served during the six months ended 30 June 2024 were as
follows:
Alastair Lyons Chair
Lynda Shillaw Chief
Executive
Katerina Patmore Chief Financial Officer
Angela Bromfield Senior Independent Director
Ruth Cooke Independent Non-Executive Director
Lisa Scenna Independent Non-Executive Director
Patrick O'Donnell Bourke Independent Non-Executive Director
Marzia Zafar Independent Non-Executive Director
Steven Underwood Non-Executive Director
Martyn Bowes Non-Executive Director
By order of the Board
Kitty Patmore
Chief Financial Officer
12 September 2024
Cautionary statement
This report for the six months ended 30 June 2024 contains certain
forward-looking statements with respect to the Company's financial condition,
results, operations and business. These statements and forecasts involve
risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend upon
circumstances that will occur in the future. There are factors that could
cause actual results or developments to differ materially from those expressed
or implied by these forward-looking statements and forecasts. Nothing in
this report should be construed as a profit forecast.
Directors' liability
Neither the Company nor the Directors accept any liability to any person in
relation to this report for the six months ended 30 June 2024 except to the
extent that such liability could arise under English law. Accordingly, any
liability to a person who has demonstrated reliance on any untrue or
misleading statement or omission shall be determined in accordance with
section 90A of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.
Shareholder information
Financial calendar
Interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2024 Announced 12 September 2024
Interim dividend for the year ending 31 December 2024 Ex-dividend date 19 September 2024
Record date 20 September 2024
Payable 24 October 2024
Capital Markets Day 2024 Scheduled 22 October 2024
Results for the year ending 31 December 2024 Announced March 2025
Annual report and financial statements for the year ending 31 December 2024 Published April 2025
2025 Annual General Meeting Scheduled May 2025
Final dividend for the year ending 31 December 2024 Payable June 2025
Registrars
All administrative enquiries relating to shareholdings should, in the first
instance, be directed to Equiniti, Aspect House, Spencer Road, Lancing, West
Sussex, BN99 6DA (telephone: 0371 384 2301) and should state clearly the
registered shareholder's name and address.
Dividend mandate
Any shareholder wishing dividends to be paid directly into a bank or building
society should contact the Registrars for a dividend mandate form. Dividends
paid in this way will be paid through the Bankers' Automated Clearing System
("BACS").
Shareview service
The Shareview service from Equiniti allows shareholders to manage their
shareholding online. It gives shareholders direct access to their data held on
the share register, including recent share movements and dividend details and
the ability to change their address or dividend payment instructions online.
To visit the Shareview website, go to shareview.co.uk
(http://www.shareview.co.uk) . There is no charge to register but the
'shareholder reference' printed on proxy forms or dividend stationery will be
required.
Website
Harworth's website (harworthgroup.com (http://www.harworthgroup.com) ) gives
further information on the Group. Detailed information for shareholders can be
found at harworthgroup.com/investors/
(http://www.harworthgroup.com/investors/) .
Consolidated income statement
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months ended
Note
30 June 6 months ended Year ended
2024
30 June
31 December
£'000
2023
2023
£'000
£'000
Revenue 3 41,306 18,237 72,427
Cost of sales 3 (34,110) (9,609) (60,077)
Gross profit 3 7,196 8,628 12,350
Administrative expenses 3 (16,779) (14,349) (27,435)
Other gains 3 30,736 13,774 69,426
Other operating expenses 3 (44) (45) (112)
Operating profit 3 21,109 8,008 54,229
Finance costs 4 (3,614) (3,105) (6,421)
Finance income 4 801 335 445
Share of profit/(loss) of joint ventures (including impairment) 9 430 (773) 1,554
Profit before tax 18,726 4,465 49,807
Tax charge 5 (3,942) (1,618) (11,851)
Profit for the period/year 14,784 2,847 37,956
Earnings per share from operations pence pence pence
Basic 7 4.6 0.9 11.8
Diluted 7 4.5 0.9 11.5
Notes 1 to 16 are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim
financial statements.
All activities are derived from continuing operations.
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months ended 6 months ended Year ended
30 June
30 June
31 December
2024
2023
2023
£'000
£'000
£'000
Profit for the period/year 14,784 2,847 37,956
Other comprehensive (expense)/income - items that will not be reclassified to
profit or loss:
Net actuarial (loss)/gain in Blenkinsopp Pension scheme (123) 86 (10)
Revaluation of Group occupied property (300) (67) (167)
Deferred tax on other comprehensive (expense)/income items - (22) 3
Total other comprehensive expense (423) (3) (174)
Total comprehensive income for the period/year 14,361 2,844 37,782
Consolidated balance sheet
ASSETS Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at
Note
30 June As at As at
30 June
31 December
2024
£'000 2023 2023
£'000
£'000
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment 1,442 1,236 1,670
Right of use assets 463 557 512
Trade and other receivables 23,046 2,735 11,296
Investment properties 8 479,564 430,366 433,942
Investments in joint ventures 9 32,346 29,055 30,722
Retirement benefit asset 938 31 -
537,799 463,980 478,142
Current assets
Inventories 10 264,721 231,304 263,073
Trade and other receivables 47,324 54,538 37,289
Assets held for sale 11 7,491 20,811 18,752
Cash 12 9,207 8,493 27,182
Current tax asset - 1,142 -
328,743 316,288 346,296
Total assets 866,542 780,268 824,438
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Borrowings 13 (35,708) - (29,744)
Trade and other payables (88,485) (76,315) (88,087)
Lease liabilities (176) (152) (158)
Current tax liabilities (2,406) - (2,643)
(126,775) (76,467) (120,632)
Net current assets 201,968 239,821 225,664
Non-current liabilities
Borrowings 13 (53,983) (72,145) (33,830)
Trade and other payables (1,673) (2,733) (1,757)
Lease liabilities (371) (410) (397)
Net deferred tax liabilities (33,748) (25,460) (30,089)
Retirement benefit obligations - - (11)
(89,775) (100,748) (66,084)
Total liabilities (216,550) (177,215) (186,716)
Net assets 649,992 603,053 637,722
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Called up share capital 14 32,486 32,345 32,408
Share premium account 25,112 24,688 25,034
Fair value reserve 245,766 179,339 225,177
Capital redemption reserve 257 257 257
Merger reserve 45,667 45,667 45,667
Investment in own shares (134) (90) (99)
Retained earnings 286,054 318,000 271,322
Current year profit 14,784 2,847 37,956
Total shareholders' equity 649,992 603,053 637,722
Condensed consolidated statement of changes in shareholders' equity
Called up share capital £'000 Share Fair Capital redemption reserve Investment in own shares
premium account Merger reserve value £'000 £'000 Retained earnings Total
£'000 £'000 reserve £'000 equity
£'000 £'000
Balance at 1 Jan 2023 32,305 24,688 45,667 174,520 257 (50) 325,277 602,664
Profit for the six months to 30 June 2023 - - - - - - 2,847 2,847
Fair value gains - - - 17,888 - - (17,888) -
Transfer of unrealised gains on disposal of investment property - - - (13,002) - - 13,002 -
Other comprehensive (expense)/income:
Actuarial gain in Blenkinsopp pension scheme - - - - - - 86 86
Revaluation of group occupied property - - - (67) - - - (67)
Fair value of financial - - - - - - - -
instruments
Deferred tax on other comprehensive (expense)/income items - - - - - - (22) (22)
- - - 4,819 - - (1,975) 2,844
Transactions with owners:
Purchase of own shares - - - - - (40) - (40)
Share-based payments - - - - - - 546 546
Dividends paid - - - - - - (3,001) (3,001)
Share issue 40 - - - - - - 40
Balance at 30 June 2023 (unaudited) 32,345 24,688 45,667 179,339 257 (90) 320,847 603,053
Profit for the year to 31 December 2023 - - - - - - 35,110 35,110
Fair value gains - - - 58,856 - - (58,856) -
Transfer of unrealised gains on disposal of investment property - - - (12,918) - - 12,918 -
Other comprehensive (expense)/income:
Actuarial loss in Blenkinsopp pension scheme - - - - - - (96) (96)
Revaluation of group occupied property - - - (100) - - - (100)
Deferred tax on other comprehensive (expense)/income items - - - - - - 25 25
- - - 45,838 - - (10,899) 34,939
Transactions with owners: -
Purchase of own shares - - - - - (9) - (9)
Share-based payments - - - - - - 768 768
Dividends paid - - - - - - (1,437) (1,437)
Share issue 63 346 - - - - - 409
Balance at 31 December 2023 32,408 25,034 45,667 225,177 257 (99) 309,278 637,722
Profit for the six months to 30 June 2024 - - - - - - 14,784 14,784
Fair value gains - - - 28,770 - - (28,770) -
Transfer of unrealised gains on disposal of investment property - - - (7,881) - - 7,881 -
Other comprehensive (expense)/income:
Actuarial loss in Blenkinsopp pension scheme - - - - - - (123) (123)
Revaluation of group occupied property - - - (300) - - - (300)
- - - 20,589 - - (6,228) 14,361
Transactions with owners:
Purchase of own shares - - - - - (35) - (35)
Share-based payments - - - - - - 1,099 1,099
Dividends paid - - - - - - (3,311) (3,311)
Share issue 78 78 - - - - - 156
Balance at 30 June 2024 (unaudited) 32,486 25,112 45,667 245,766 257 (134) 300,838 649,992
Consolidated statement of cash flows
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months ended
30 June 6 months ended year ended
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December 2023
£'000
2023
£'000
Cash flows from operating activities
Profit before tax for the period/year 18,726 4,465 49,807
Net finance costs 2,813 2,770 5,976
Other gains (30,736) (13,774) (69,426)
Share of (profit)/loss of joint ventures (including impairment) (430) 773 (1,554)
Share-based transactions((19)) 1,114 533 1,404
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment and right of use assets 188 112 282
Pension contributions in excess of charge (1,072) (59) (113)
Operating cash outflows before movements in working capital (9,397) (5,180) (13,624)
(Increase)/decrease in inventories (1,648) (15,311) 5,186
(Increase)/decrease in receivables (21,785) 3,397 18,868
Increase/(decrease) in payables 50 (5,325) 6,937
Cash generated (used in)/generated from operations (32,780) (22,419) 17,367
Interest paid (2,055) (2,065) (4,302)
Corporation tax paid (236) (8,462) (10,212)
Cash (used in)/generated from operating activities (35,071) (32,946) 2,853
Cash flows from investing activities
Interest received 801 335 445
Investment in joint ventures (2,422) - (250)
Distribution from joint ventures 1,228 - 911
Net proceeds from disposal of Investment Property, AHFS and overages 17,517 50,506 69,568
Property acquisitions (2,649) (12,019) (19,046)
Expenditure on investment properties and AHFS (18,491) (16,801) (35,808)
Expenditure on property, plant and equipment (176) (238) (396)
Cash (used in)/generated from investing activities (4,192) 21,783 15,424
Cash flows from financing activities
Net proceeds from issue of ordinary shares 87 - 400
Proceeds from other loans 5,510 5,309 5,939
Repayment of other loans (852) (3,116) (3,299)
Proceeds from bank loans 40,000 20,000 45,000
Repayment of bank loans (20,000) (11,000) (46,000)
Loan arrangement fees (101) (66) (162)
Payment in respect of leases (45) (53) (118)
Dividends paid (3,311) (3,001) (4,438)
Cash generated from/(used in) financing activities 21,288 8,073 (2,678)
(Decrease)/increase in cash (17,975) (3,090) 15,599
Cash as at beginning of period/year 27,182 11,583 11,583
(Decrease)/increase in cash (17,975) (3,090) 15,599
Cash as at end of period/year 9,207 8,493 27,182
(19) Share-based transactions reflect the non-cash expenses relating to share-based
payments included within the income statement
Notes to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements
for the six months ended 30 June 2024
1. Accounting policies
The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of this condensed
consolidated interim financial information are set out below. These policies
have been consistently applied to all of the periods presented, unless
otherwise stated.
General information
Harworth Group plc (the "Company") is a company limited by shares,
incorporated and domiciled in the UK (England). The address of its registered
office is Advantage House, Poplar Way, Catcliffe, Rotherham, South Yorkshire,
S60 5TR.
The Company is a public company listed on the London Stock Exchange.
The condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the six months
ended 30 June 2024 comprise the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries
(together referred to as the "Group").
These condensed consolidated interim financial statements do not comprise
statutory accounts within the meaning of section 434 of the Companies Act
2006. The financial information presented for the year ended 31 December 2023
is derived from the statutory accounts for that year. Statutory accounts for
the year ended 31 December 2023 were approved by the Board of Directors on 18
March 2024 and delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the
auditor on those accounts was unqualified, did not contain an emphasis of
matter paragraph and did not contain any statement under section 498 of the
Companies Act 2006.
The condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the six months
ended 30 June 2024, which have not been audited, were approved by the Board on
9 September 2024.
Basis of preparation
These condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the six months
ended 30 June 2024 have been prepared in accordance with the Disclosure
Guidance and Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority and in
accordance with IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting' as contained in
UK-adopted international accounting standards.
These condensed consolidated interim financial statements should be read in
conjunction with the Group's annual financial statements for the year ended 31
December 2023, which were prepared in accordance with
international accounting standards in conformity with the requirements of the
Companies Act 2006 and in accordance with UK adopted International Financial
Reporting Standards ("IFRS").
Going-concern basis
These condensed consolidated interim financial statements are prepared on the
basis that the Group is a going concern. In forming its opinion as to going
concern, the Company prepares cash flow and banking covenant forecasts based
upon assumptions, with particular consideration to key risks and uncertainties
and the macro-economic environment as well as taking into account available
borrowing facilities. The going concern period assessed is until December 2025
which is selected as it can be projected with a reasonable degree of accuracy
and covers a complete period of reporting under the Group's RCF.
A key focus of the assessment of going concern is the management of liquidity
and compliance with borrowing facilities for the period to December 2025. In
2022, a five year £200 million RCF was agreed with HSBC, NatWest and
Santander. The RCF is aligned to the Group's strategy and provides significant
liquidity and flexibility to enable it to pursue its strategic ambitions. The
facility is subject to financial covenants, including minimum interest cover,
maximum infrastructure debt as a percentage of property value and gearing, all
of which are tested through the going concern assessment undertaken. Available
liquidity, including cash and cash equivalents and bank facility headroom, was
£154.2 million as at 30 June 2024 (31 December 2023: £192.2 million).
The Group benefits from diversification across its Capital Growth and Income
Generation businesses including its industrial and renewable energy property
portfolios. Taking into account the independent desktop valuation carried out
by BNP Paribas and Savills as at 30 June 2024, the Group net loan-to-portfolio
value remains low at 9.8%, within the Board's target range and with headroom
to allow for any falls in property values. Rent collection remained strong,
with 98% collected for H1 2024.
In addition to the Company's base cashflow forecast, a sensitised forecast was
produced that reflected a number of severe but plausible downsides. This
downside included: 1) a severe reduction in sales; 2) notwithstanding strong
rent collection in line with previous quarters, a prudent material increase in
bad debts across the portfolio over the going concern assessment period; 3) a
decline in the value of land and investment property values as a result of
macro-economic conditions; and 4) increases in overhead costs.
A scenario was also run which demonstrated that very severe loss of revenue,
valuation reductions and interest cost increases would be required to breach
cashflow and banking covenants. The Directors consider this very severe
scenario to be remote. A scenario with consideration of potential climate
change and related transition impacts was also examined as part of the Group's
focus on climate-related risks and opportunities.
Under each downside scenario, for the going concern period to December 2025,
the Group expects to continue to have sufficient cash reserves to continue to
operate with headroom on lending facilities and associated covenants and has
additional mitigation measures within management's control, for example
reducing development and acquisition expenditure and reducing operating costs,
that could be deployed to create further cash and covenant headroom.
Based on these considerations, together with available market information and
the Directors' knowledge and experience of the Group's property portfolio and
markets, the Directors considered it appropriate to adopt a going concern
basis of accounting in the preparation of the Group's and Company's financial
statements.
Changes in accounting policy and disclosures
(a) New standards, amendments and interpretations
A number of new standards and amendments to standards and interpretations are
effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2024. None of
these have a significant effect on the financial statements of the Group.
(b) New standards, amendments and interpretations not yet adopted
A number of new standards and amendments to standards and interpretations are
effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2025 and have not
been applied in preparing these financial statements. None of these are
expected to have a significant effect on the financial statements of the
Group.
Estimates and judgements
The preparation of the condensed consolidated interim financial statements
requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect
the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities, income and expense. Actual results may differ from these
estimates.
In preparing these condensed consolidated interim financial statements, the
significant judgements made by management in applying the Group's accounting
policies and the key sources of estimation uncertainty were the same as those
that applied in the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31
December 2023.
2. Alternative Performance Measures ("APMs")
Introduction
The Group has applied the December 2019 European Securities and Markets
Authority ("ESMA") guidance on APMs and the November 2017 Financial Reporting
Council ("FRC") corporate thematic review of APMs in these results. An APM is
a financial measure of historical or future financial performance, position or
cash flows of the Group which is not a measure defined or specified under
IFRS.
Overview of use of APMs
The Directors believe that APMs assist in providing additional useful
information on the underlying trends, performance and position of the Group.
APMs assist stakeholder users of the accounts, particularly equity and debt
investors, through the comparability of information. APMs are used by the
Directors and management, both internally and externally, for performance
analysis, strategic planning, reporting and incentive-setting purposes.
APMs are not defined by IFRS and therefore may not be directly comparable with
other companies' APMs, including peers in the real estate industry. APMs
should be considered in addition to, and are not intended to be a substitute
for, or superior to, IFRS measurements.
The derivations of our APMs and their purpose
The primary differences between IFRS statutory amounts and the APMs that we
use are as follows:
1. Capturing all sources of value creation - Under IFRS, the revaluation movement
in development properties which are held in inventory is not included in the
balance sheet. Also, overages are not recognised in the balance sheet until
they are highly probable. These movements, which are verified by our
independent valuers BNP Paribas and Savills, are included within our APMs;
2. Re-categorising income statement amounts - Under IFRS, the grouping of
amounts, particularly within gross profit and other gains, does not clearly
allow Harworth to demonstrate the value creation through its business model.
In particular, the statutory grouping does not distinguish value gains (being
realised profits from the sales of properties and unrealised profits from
property value movements) from the ongoing profitability of the business which
is less susceptible to movements in the property cycle. Finally, the Group
includes profits from joint ventures within its APMs as its joint ventures
conduct similar operations to Harworth, albeit in different ownership
structures; and
3. Comparability with industry peers - Harworth discloses some APMs which are
EPRA measures as these are a set of standard disclosures for the property
industry and thus aid comparability for our stakeholder users.
Our key APMs
The key APMs that the Group focuses on are as follows:
· Comparability with industry peers - Harworth discloses some APMs which are
EPRA measures as these are a set of standard disclosures for the property
industry and thus aid comparability for our stakeholder users.
· EPRA NDV per share - EPRA NDV aims to represent shareholder value under an
orderly sale of the business, where deferred tax, financial instruments and
certain other adjustments are calculated to the full extent of their liability
net of any resulting tax. EPRA NDV per share is EPRA NDV divided by the number
of shares in issue at the end of the period, less shares held by the Employee
Benefit Trust or Equiniti Share Plan Trustees Limited to satisfy Long Term
Incentive Plan and Share Incentive Plan awards
· Value gains - These are the realised profits from the sales of properties and
unrealised profits from property value movements including joint ventures and
the mark to market movement on development properties, AHFS and overages
· Net loan to portfolio value ("LTV") - Group debt net of cash and cash
equivalents held expressed as a percentage of portfolio value
3. Segment information
Segmental Income Statement
Unaudited 6 months ended 30 June 2024
Capital Growth
Sale of development properties Other property activities Income Generation Central Total
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Revenue ((1)) 24,006 7,047 10,253 - 41,306
Cost of sales (24,080) (7,474) (2,556) - (34,110)
Gross profit ((2)) (74) (427) 7,697 - 7,196
Administrative expenses - (3,162) (1,388) (12,229) (16,779)
Other gains ((3)) - 23,243 7,493 - 30,736
Other operating expense - - - (44) (44)
Operating profit/(loss) (74) 19,654 13,802 (12,273) 21,109
Finance costs - (119) - (3,495) (3,614)
Finance income - 799 - 2 801
Share of loss of joint ventures - (707) 1,137 - 430
Profit/(loss) before tax (74) 19,627 14,939 (15,766) 18,726
((1)) Revenue
Revenue is analysed as follows:
Sale of development properties 24,006 - - - 24,006
Development revenues - 6,880 - - 6,880
Rent, service charge and royalties revenue - 106 10,188 - 10,294
Other revenue - 61 65 - 126
24,006 7,047 10,253 - 41,306
((2)) Gross profit
Gross profit is analysed as follows:
Gross profit excluding sales of development properties - (427) 7,697 - 7,270
Gross loss on sale of development properties (801) - - - (801)
Net realisable value provision on development properties (4,303) - - - (4,303)
Reversal of previous net realisable value provision on development properties 4,009 - - - 4,009
Release of previous net realisable value provision on disposal of development 1,021 - - - 1,021
properties
(74) (427) 7,697 - 7,196
((3)) Other gains
Other gains are analysed as follows:
Increase in fair value of investment - 19,080 7,608 - 26,688
Properties
Decrease in the fair value of AHFS - (200) (16) - (216)
Loss on sale of investment properties - (33) - - (33)
Profit/(loss) on sale of AHFS - 204 (99) - 105
Profit on sale of overages - 4,192 - - 4,192
- 23,243 7,493 - 30,736
Segmental Balance Sheet
Unaudited as at 30 June 2024
Capital Income Central Total
£'000
Growth Generation £'000
£'000 £'000
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment - - 1,442 1,442
Right of use assets - - 463 463
Other receivables 23,046 - - 23,046
Investment properties 238,385 241,179 - 479,564
Investments in joint ventures 18,318 14,028 - 32,346
Retirement benefit asset - - 938 938
279,749 255,207 2,843 537,799
Current assets
Inventories 264,721 - - 264,721
Trade and other receivables 31,479 14,678 1,167 47,324
AHFS 3,602 3,889 - 7,491
Cash and cash equivalents - - 9,207 9,207
299,802 18,567 10,374 328,743
Total assets 579,551 273,774 13,217 866,542
Financial liabilities and derivative financial instruments are not allocated
to the reporting segments as they are managed and measured at a Group level.
Segmental Income Statement
Unaudited 6 months ended 30 June 2023
Capital Growth
Sale of development properties Other property activities Income Generation Central Total
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Revenue ((1)) 4,025 283 13,929 - 18,237
Cost of sales (5,644) (479) (3,486) - (9,609)
Gross profit ((2)) (1,619) (196) 10,443 - 8,628
Administrative expenses - (2,231) (2,332) (9,786) (14,349)
Other gains ((3)) - 12,502 1,272 - 13,774
Other operating expense - - - (45) (45)
Operating profit/(loss) (1,619) 10,075 9,383 (9,831) 8,008
Finance costs - 33 - (3,138) (3,105)
Finance income - 333 2 - 335
Share of loss of joint ventures - (896) 123 - (773)
Profit/(loss) before tax (1,619) 9,545 9,508 (12,969) 4,465
((1)) Revenue
Revenue is analysed as follows:
Sale of development properties 4,025 - - - 4,025
Revenue from PPAs - 36 - - 36
Rent, service charge and royalties revenue - 235 13,444 - 13,679
Other revenue - 12 485 - 497
4,025 283 13,929 - 18,237
((2)) Gross profit
Gross profit is analysed as follows:
Gross profit excluding sales of development properties - (196) 10,443 - 10,247
Gross profit on sale of development properties (1,344) - - - (1,344)
Net realisable value provision on development properties (1,019) - - - (1,019)
Reversal of previous net realisable value provision on development properties 744 - - - 744
(1,619) (196) 10,443 - 8,628
((3)) Other gains
Other gains are analysed as follows:
Increase in fair value of investment - 12,726 2,279 - 15,005
Properties
Decrease in the fair value of AHFS - (114) (58) - (172)
Loss on sale of investment properties - (110) (317) - (427)
Loss on sale of AHFS - - (632) - (632)
- 12,502 1,272 - 13,774
Segmental Balance Sheet
Unaudited as at 30 June 2023
Capital Income Central Total
£'000
Growth Generation £'000
£'000 £'000
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment - - 1,236 1,236
Right of use assets - - 557 557
Trade and other receivables 2,735 - - 2,735
Investment properties 196,328 234,038 - 430,366
Investments in joint ventures 15,566 13,489 - 29,055
Retirement benefit asset - - 31 31
214,629 247,527 1,824 463,980
Current assets
Inventories 231,304 - - 231,304
Trade and other receivables 35,485 12,782 6,271 54,538
AHFS 2,514 18,297 - 20,811
Cash and cash equivalents - - 8,493 8,493
Current tax asset - - 1,142 1,142
269,303 31,079 15,906 316,288
Total assets 483,932 278,606 17,730 780,268
Financial liabilities and derivative financial instruments are not allocated
to the reporting segments as they are managed and measured at a Group level.
Segmental Income Statement
Audited year ended 31 December 2023
Capital Growth
Sale of development properties Other property activities Income Generation Central Total
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Revenue ((1)) 46,731 2,286 23,410 - 72,427
Cost of sales (51,709) (2,340) (6,028) - (60,077)
Gross profit ((2)) (4,978) (54) 17,382 - 12,350
Administrative expenses - (5,062) (3,147) (19,226) (27,435)
Other gains ((3)) - 65,066 4,360 - 69,426
Other operating expense - - - (112) (112)
Operating profit/(loss) (4,978) 59,950 18,595 (19,338) 54,229
Finance costs - - - (6,421) (6,421)
Finance income - 438 7 - 445
Share of loss of joint ventures - 892 662 - 1,554
Profit/(loss) before tax (4,978) 61,280 19,264 (25,759) 49,807
((1)) Revenue
Revenue is analysed as follows:
Sale of development properties 46,731 - - - 46,731
Revenue from PPAs - 776 - - 776
Build-to-suit development revenue - 956 - - 956
Rent, service charge and royalties revenue - 340 22,657 - 22,997
Other revenue - 214 753 - 967
46,731 2,286 23,410 - 72,427
((2)) Gross profit
Gross profit is analysed as follows:
Gross profit excluding sales of development properties - (54) 17,382 - 17,328
Gross profit on sale of development properties (618) - - - (618)
Net realisable value provision on development properties (7,442) - - - (7,442)
Reversal of previous net realisable value provision on development properties 1,213 - - - 1,213
Release of net realisable value provision on disposal of development 1,869 - - - 1,869
properties
(4,978) (54) 17,382 - 12,350
((3)) Other gains/(losses)
Other gains/(losses) are analysed as follows:
Increase/(decrease) in fair value of investment - 65,584 5,788 - 71,372
properties
Decrease in the fair value of AHFS - (114) (158) - (272)
Profit on sale of investment properties - (588) (365) - (953)
(Loss)/profit on sale of AHFS - (134) (1,006) - (1,140)
Profit on sale of overages - 318 101 - 419
- 65,066 4,360 - 69,426
Segmental Balance Sheet
Audited as at 31 December 2023
Capital Income Central Total
£'000
Growth Generation £'000
£'000 £'000
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment - - 1,670 1,670
Right of use assets - - 512 512
Other receivables 11,296 - - 11,296
Investment properties 199,216 234,726 - 433,942
Investments in joint ventures 17,604 13,118 - 30,722
228,116 247,844 2,182 478,142
Current assets
Inventories 263,073 - - 263,073
Trade and other receivables 23,967 11,300 2,022 37,289
AHFS 3,764 14,988 - 18,752
Cash and cash equivalents - - 27,182 27,182
290,804 26,288 29,204 346,296
Total assets 518,920 274,132 31,386 824,438
Financial liabilities and derivative financial instruments are not allocated
to the reporting segments as they are managed and measured at a Group level.
4. Finance costs and finance income
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months ended
30 June 6 months ended year ended
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December 2023
£'000
2023
£'000
Finance costs
- Bank interest (1,208) (1,294) (2,778)
- Facility fees (715) (771) (1,524)
- Amortisation of up-front fees (383) (331) (671)
- Other interest (1,308) (709) (1,448)
(3,614) (3,105) (6,421)
Finance income 801 335 445
Net finance costs (2,813) (2,770) (5,976)
5. Tax
The Group calculates the period tax expense using the tax rate that would be
applicable to the expected total annual earnings. The major components of tax
expense in the condensed interim consolidated income statement are:
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months ended
30 June 6 months ended year ended
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December 2023
£'000
2023
£'000
Tax charges
Current tax charge - 307 5,842
Deferred tax charge relating to origination and reversal of temporary 3,942 1,311 6,009
differences
Tax charge recognised in income statement 3,942 1,618 11,851
The deferred tax charge largely relates to unrealised gains on investment
properties.
6. Dividends
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months ended
30 June 6 months ended year ended
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December 2023
£'000
2023
£'000
Full year dividend of 1.022p per share for the year ended 31 December 2023 3,311 - -
Interim dividend of 0.444p per share for the year ended 31 December 2023 - - 1,437
Full year dividend of 0.929p per share for the year ended 31 December 2022 - 3,001 3,001
3,311 3,001 4,438
The Board has determined that it is appropriate for an interim dividend for
the year ending 31 December 2024 to be paid of 0.489p (H1 2023: 0.444p) per
share, an increase of 10% in line with the Group's policy.
There is no change to the current dividend policy to continue to grow the
dividends by 10% each year.
7. Earnings per share
Earnings per share has been calculated by dividing the profit attributable to
ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of shares in issue and
ranking for dividend during the period/year.
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months ended
30 June 6 months ended year ended
2024
30 June 31 December 2023
2023
Profit from continuing operations attributable to ordinary shareholders 14,784 2,847 37,956
(£'000)
Weighted average number of shares used for basic earnings per share 323,369,861 322,603,991 322,767,356
calculation
Basic earnings per share (pence) 4.6 0.9 11.8
Weighted average number of shares used for diluted earnings per share 330,745,233 328,033,119 328,653,655
calculation
Diluted earnings per share (pence) 4.5 0.9 11.5
The difference between the weighted average number of shares used for the
basic and diluted earnings per share calculation is due to the effect of share
options that are dilutive.
8. Investment properties
The Group holds five categories of investment property being Agricultural
Land, Natural Resources, the Investment Portfolio, Major Developments and
Strategic Land in the UK, which sit within the operating segments of Income
Generation and Capital Growth.
Income Generation Capital Growth
Agricultural Land Natural Investment Portfolio Major Strategic Land
£'000 Resources £'000 Developments £'000 Total
£'000
£'000 £'000
At 1 January 2023 (audited) 5,694 19,726 210,407 44,244 120,292 400,363
Direct acquisitions 655 - - - 10,401 11,056
Subsequent expenditure - 29 293 12,759 3,647 16,728
Disposals - - (11,136) - - (11,136)
Increase/(decrease) in fair value 122 (242) 2,400 (1,050) 13,775 15,005
Transfers between operating segments - - 8,140 (8,140) - -
Transfers from development properties - - - 400 - 400
Transfers to property, plant and equipment - - (500) - - (500)
Transfer to AHFS - - (1,550) - - (1,550)
At 30 June 2023 (unaudited) 6,471 19,513 208,054 48,213 148,115 430,366
Direct acquisitions - - - - 5,428 5,428
Subsequent expenditure 45 1,321 384 9,345 7,911 19,006
Disposals - - - (788) (7,041) (7,829)
(Decrease)/increase in fair value (6) 331 3,183 4,246 48,613 56,367
Transfers between operating segments - - 10,411 (2,276) (8,135) -
Transfers (to)/from development properties - - - (400) (51,865) (52,265)
Transfers to property, plant and equipment - - (467) - - (467)
Transfer to AHFS - (1,264) (13,250) - (2,150) (16,664)
At 31 December 2023 (audited) 6,510 19,901 208,315 58,340 140,876 433,942
Direct acquisitions - - - - 2,649 2,649
Subsequent expenditure - 559 452 16,768 673 18,452
Disposals - - - - - -
Increase in fair value 364 170 7,075 (3,023) 22,102 26,688
Transfers between operating segments - (1,285) 1,285 1,860 (1,860) -
Transfer to AHFS - (2,167) - - - (2,167)
At 30 June 2024 (unaudited) 6,874 17,178 217,127 73,945 164,440 479,564
Valuation process
The Directors' valuation as at 30 June 2024 was based on a desktop valuation
completed by BNP Paribas and Savills on the portfolio of properties. BNP
Paribas and Savills are independent firms acting in the capacity of external
valuers with relevant experience of valuations of this nature.
9. Investment in joint ventures
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at
30 June As at As at
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December 2023
£'000
2023
£'000
At 1 January 30,722 29,828 29,828
Investments in joint ventures 2,422 - 250
Distributions from joint ventures (1,228) - (910)
Share of profits/(losses) of joint ventures 430 (773) 1,554
At end of period/year 32,346 29,055 30,722
10. Inventories
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at
30 June As at As at
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December 2023
£'000
2023
£'000
Development properties 250,548 219,153 250,024
Planning promotion agreements 4,354 3,581 3,805
Option agreements 9,819 8,570 9,244
Total inventories 264,721 231,304 263,073
The movement in development properties is as follows:
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months ended
30 June 6 months ended Year ended
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December 2023
£'000
2023
£'000
At start of period 250,024 204,952 204,952
Subsequent expenditure 13,639 17,436 32,417
Disposals (13,842) (2,560) (34,850)
Net realisable value release/(provision) 727 (275) (4,360)
Net transfer from/(to) investment properties - (400) 51,865
Total development properties 250,548 219,153 250,024
The movement in net realisable value provision was as follows:
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months ended
30 June 6 months ended Year ended
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December 2023
£'000
2023
£'000
At start of period 14,136 9,776 9,776
Charge for the period 4,303 1,019 7,442
Reversal of previous net realisable value provision (4,009) (744) (1,213)
Released on disposals (1,021) - (1,869)
At end of period 13,409 10,051 14,136
11. Assets held for sale
AHFS relate to investment properties identified as being for sale within 12
months, where a sale is considered highly probable and the property is
immediately available for sale.
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at
30 June As at As at
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December 2023
£'000
2023
£'000
At start of period 18,752 59,790 59,790
Net transfer from investment properties 2,167 1,550 18,214
Subsequent expenditure 39 73 74
Decrease in fair value (216) (172) (272)
Disposals (13,251) (40,430) (59,054)
At end of period 7,491 20,811 18,752
12. Cash
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at
30 June As at As at
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December 2023
£'000
2023
£'000
Cash 9,207 8,493 27,182
13. Borrowings
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at
30 June As at As at
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December 2023
£'000
2023
£'000
Current:
Secured - infrastructure and direct development loans (35,708) - (29,744)
(35,708) - (29,744)
Non-current:
Secured - bank loan (53,983) (43,731) (33,830)
Secured - infrastructure and direct development loans - (28,414) -
Total non-current borrowings (53,983) (72,145) (33,830)
Total borrowings (89,691) (72,145) (63,574)
Loans are stated after deduction of unamortised fees of £1.2 million (June
2023: £1.7 million, December 2023: £1.5 million).
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at
30 June As at As at
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December
2023 2023
£'000
£'000
Infrastructure and direct development loans
South Yorkshire Pension Fund/ Scrudf Limited Partnership Rotherham AMP (7,412) - (584)
Scrudf Limited Partnership Gateway 36 (6,279) (6,726) (6,850)
Merseyside Pension Fund Bardon Hill (22,017) (21,688) (22,310)
Total infrastructure and direct development loans (35,708) (28,414) (29,744)
Bank loan (53,983) (43,731) (33,830)
Total borrowings (89,691) (72,145) (63,574)
The bank borrowings are part of a £200 million (2023: £200 million)
revolving credit facility ("RCF") with a £40 million uncommitted accordion
option, provided by NatWest, Santander and HSBC. The RCF is repayable on 4
March 2027 at the end of the five-year term.
The RCF is subject to financial and other covenants. The bank borrowings are
secured by way of a floating debenture over assets not otherwise used as
security under specific infrastructure or direct development loans. Proceeds
from and repayments of bank loans are reflected gross in the Consolidated
Statement of Cash Flows and reflect timing of utilisation of the RCF.
The infrastructure and direct development loans are provided by public and
private bodies in order to promote the development of major sites or assist
with vertical direct development. The loans are drawn as work on the
respective sites is progressed and they are repaid on agreed dates or when
disposals are made from the sites.
14. Share capital
Issued, authorised and fully paid Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at
30 June As at As at
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December 2023
£'000
2023
£'000
At start of period/year 32,408 32,305 32,305
Shares issued 78 40 103
At end of period/year 32,486 32,345 32,408
Issued, authorised and fully paid - number of shares Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at
30 June As at As at
2024
30 June 31 December 2023
2023
At start of period/year 324,084,072 323,051,124 323,051,124
Shares issued 783,677 398,704 1,032,948
At end of period/year 324,867,749 323,449,828 324,084,072
Own shares held (1,275,281) (837,143) (929,699)
At end of period/year 323,592,468 322,612,685 323,154,373
There is only one class of share in issue: ordinary shares of 10 pence each.
All shares carry equal rights to dividends, voting and return of capital on a
winding up of the Company, as set out in the Company's Articles of
Association.
15. Related party transactions
The Group carried out the following transactions with related parties. The
following entities are related parties as a consequence of shareholdings,
joint venture arrangements and partners of such and/or common Directorships.
All related party transactions are clearly justified and beneficial to the
Group, are undertaken on an arm's-length basis on fully commercial terms and
in the normal course of business.
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months ended/as at 6 months ended/as at year ended/
30 June 30 June as at
2024 2023 31 December
£000 £000 2023
£000
MULTIPLY LOGISTICS NORTH HOLDINGS LIMITED &
MULTIPLY LOGISTICS NORTH LP
Sales
Recharges of costs - 4 281
Asset management fee 52 25 100
Water charges 66 84 146
Purchases
Recharge of costs 3 1 1
Receivables
Other receivables - 4 5
Trade receivables 38 - 281
Payables
Other payables (68) - -
GENUIT GROUP (FORMERLY POLYPIPE)
Sales
Rent - 16 10
Development property disposal - - 1,680
Receivables
Trade receivables - 6 -
THE AIRE VALLEY LAND LLP
Receivable - 26 26
CRIMEA LAND MANSFIELD LLP
Receivable - 9 9
Investment made during the year 25 - -
NORTHERN GATEWAY DEVELOPMENT VEHICLE LLP
Purchases
Recharge of costs 5 - -
Investment made during the year 2,497 - 250
INVESTMENT PROPERTY FORUM
Purchases 1 - 5
BRITISH PROPERTY FEDERATION
Purchases 1 - -
16. Post balance sheet events
Following the period end the Group acquired a former brickworks site in
Bedfordshire for total consideration of £30.6 million payable over 2 years.
The site has outline planning permission for the delivery of 1,000 homes.
Appendix
EPRA Net Asset Measures
EPRA introduced a new set of Net Asset Value metrics in 2020: EPRA Net
Reinstatement Value ("NRV"), EPRA Net Tangible Assets ("NTA") and EPRA NDV.
While the Group uses only EPRA NDV as a key APM, the EPRA Best Practices
Recommendations guidelines require companies to report all three EPRA NAV
metrics and reconcile them to IFRS. These disclosures are provided below.
30 June 2024
EPRA NDV EPRA NTA EPRA NRV
£'000 £'000 £'000
Net assets 649,992 649,992 649,992
Cumulative unrealised gains on development properties 43,947 43,947 43,947
Cumulative unrealised gains on overages 5,400 5,400 5,400
Deferred tax liabilities (IFRS) - 30,089 30,089
Notional deferred tax on unrealised gains (12,309) - -
Deferred tax liabilities @ 50% - (21,199) -
Purchaser costs - - 59,019
687,030 708,229 788,447
Number of shares used for per share calculations 323,592,468 323,592,468 323,592,468
Per share (pence) 212.3 218.9 243.7
30 June 2023
EPRA NDV EPRA NTA EPRA NRV
£'000 £'000 £'000
Net assets 603,053 603,053 603,053
Cumulative unrealised gains on development properties 30,500 30,500 30,500
Cumulative unrealised gains on overages 7,000 7,000 7,000
Deferred tax liabilities (IFRS) - 25,460 25,460
Notional deferred tax on unrealised gains (9,321) - -
Deferred tax liabilities @ 50% - (17,391) -
Purchaser costs - - 51,142
631,232 648,622 717,155
Number of shares used for per share calculations 322,612,685 322,612,685 322,612,685
Per share (pence) 195.7 201.1 222.3
31 December 2023
EPRA NDV EPRA NTA EPRA NRV
£'000 £'000 £'000
Net assets 637,722 637,722 637,722
Cumulative unrealised gains on development properties 24,083 24,083 24,083
Cumulative unrealised gains on overages 9,400 9,400 9,400
Deferred tax liabilities (IFRS) - 30,089 30,089
Notional deferred tax on unrealised gains (8,342) - -
Deferred tax liabilities @ 50% - (19,216) -
Purchaser costs - - 52,528
662,863 682,078 753,822
Number of shares used for per share calculations 323,154,373 323,154,373 323,154,373
Per share (pence) 205.1 211.1 233.3
1) Reconciliation to statutory measures
a. Revaluation gains/(losses) Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months ended
30 June 6 months ended year ended
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December
2023 2023
£'000
£'000
Increase in fair value of investment properties 26,688 15,005 71,372
Decrease in fair value of AHFS (216) (172) (272)
Share of profit/(loss) of joint ventures 430 (773) 1,554
Net realisable value provision on development properties (4,303) (1,019) (7,442)
Reversal of previous net realisable value provision on development properties 4,009 744 1,213
Amounts derived from statutory reporting 26,608 13,785 66,425
Unrealised gains/(losses) on development properties 19,948 (2,210) (3,708)
Unrealised gains/(losses) on overages 19 (500) 2,209
Revaluation gains 46,575 11,075 64,926
b. Profit/(loss) on sale Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months ended
30 June 6 months ended year ended
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December
2023 2023
£'000
£'000
Loss on sale of investment properties (33) (427) (953)
Profit/(loss) on sale of AHFS 105 (632) (1,140)
Profit/(loss) on sale of development properties (801) (1,344) (618)
Release of net realisable value provision on disposal of development 1,021 - 1,869
properties
Profit on sale of overages 4,192 - 419
Amounts derived from statutory reporting 4,484 (2,403) (423)
Less previously unrealised gains on development properties released on sale (83) (1,142) (6,061)
Less previously unrealised gains on overages (4,019) - (309)
Profit/(loss) on sale contributing to growth in EPRA NDV 382 (3,545) (6,793)
c. Value gains/(losses) Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months ended
30 June 6 months ended year ended
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December
2023 2023
£'000
£'000
Revaluation gains 46,575 11,075 64,926
Profit/(loss) on sale 382 (3,545) (6,793)
Value gains 46,957 7,530 58,133
d. Total property sales Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months ended
30 June 6 months ended year ended
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December
2023 2023
£'000
£'000
Revenue 41,306 18,237 72,427
Less revenue from other property activities (7,047) (283) (2,286)
Less revenue from income generation activities (10,253) (13,929) (23,410)
Add proceeds from sales of investment properties, AHFS and overages 17,700 52,125 79,166
Total property sales 41,706 56,150 125,897
e. Operating profit contributing to growth in EPRA NDV Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months ended
30 June 6 months ended year ended
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December
2023 2023
£'000
£'000
Operating profit 21,109 8,008 54,229
Share of profit/(loss) on joint ventures 430 (773) 1,554
Unrealised gains/(losses) on development properties 19,948 (2,210) (3,708)
Unrealised gains/(losses) on overages 19 (500) 2,209
Less previously unrealised gains on development properties released on sale (83) (1,142) (6,061)
Less previously unrealised gains on overages released on sale (4,019) - (309)
Operating profit contributing to growth in EPRA NDV 37,404 3,383 47,914
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at
f. Portfolio value
30 June As at As at
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December
2023 2023
£'000
£'000
Land and buildings (included within Property, plant and equipment) 1,114 933 1,300
Investment properties 479,564 430,366 433,942
Investments in joint ventures 32,346 29,055 30,722
AHFS 7,491 20,811 18,752
Development properties (included within inventories) 250,548 219,153 250,024
Amounts recoverable on contracts (included within receivables) 1,456 - -
Amounts derived from statutory reporting 772,519 700,318 734,740
Cumulative unrealised gains on development properties as at period/year end 43,947 30,500 24,083
Cumulative unrealised gains on overages as at period/year end 5,400 7,000 9,400
Portfolio value 821,866 737,818 768,223
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at
g. Net debt
30 June As at As at
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December
2023 2023
£'000
£'000
Gross borrowings (89,691) (72,145) (63,574)
Cash and cash equivalents 9,207 8,493 27,182
Net debt (80,484) (63,652) (36,392)
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at
h. Net loan to portfolio value (%)
30 June As at As at
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December
2023 2023
£'000
£'000
Net debt (80,484) (63,652) (36,392)
Portfolio value 821,866 737,818 768,223
Net loan to portfolio value (%) 9.8% 8.6% 4.7%
i. Net loan to core income generation portfolio value (%) Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at
30 June As at As at
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December
2023 2023
£'000
£'000
Net debt (80,484) (63,652) (36,392)
Core income generation portfolio value (investment portfolio and natural 234,305 227,567 228,216
resources)
Net loan to core income generation portfolio value (%) 34.4% 28.0% 15.9%
j. Gross loan to portfolio value (%) Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at
30 June As at As at
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December
2023 2023
£'000
£'000
Gross borrowings (89,691) (72,145) (63,574)
Portfolio value 821,866 737,818 768,223
Gross loan to portfolio value (%) 10.9% 9.8% 8.3%
k. Gross loan to core income generation portfolio value (%) Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at
30 June As at As at
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December
2023 2023
£'000
£'000
Gross borrowings (89,691) (72,145) (63,574)
Core income generation portfolio value (investment portfolio and natural 234,305 227,567 228,216
resources)
Gross loan to core income generation portfolio value (%) 38.3% 31.7% 27.9%
l. Number of shares used for per share calculations (number) Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at
30 June As at As at
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December
2023 2023
£'000
£'000
Number of shares in issue at end of period/year 324,867,749 323,449,828 324,084,072
Less Employee Benefit Trust and Equiniti Share Plan Trustees Limited held (1,275,281) (837,143) (929,699)
shares (own shares) at end of period/year
Number of shares used for per share calculations 323,592,468 322,612,685 323,154,373
m. Net Asset Value (NAV) per share Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at
30 June As at As at
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December
2023 2023
£'000
£'000
NAV (£'000) 649,992 603,053 637,722
Number of shares used for per share calculations 323,592,468 322,612,685 323,154,373
NAV per share (p) 200.9 186.9 197.3
n. Total underlying revenue Unaudited Unaudited Audited
6 months ended
30 June 6 months ended Year
2024
£'000 30 June ended
2023 31 December
£'000 2023
£'000
Total property sales 41,706 56,150 125,897
Income generation portfolio revenue (investment portfolio, natural resources 10,253 13,929 23,410
and agriculture)
Development revenues 6,880 - 956
Other revenue 167 283 1,330
Total underlying revenue 59,006 70,362 151,593
Less proceeds from sale of investment properties, AHFS and overages (17,700) (52,125) (79,166)
Statutory revenue 41,306 18,237 72,427
2) Reconciliation to EPRA measures
a) EPRA NDV Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at
30 June As at As at
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December
2023 2023
£'000
£'000
Net assets 649,992 603,053 637,722
Cumulative unrealised gains on development properties 43,947 30,500 24,083
Cumulative unrealised gains on overages 5,400 7,000 9,400
Notional deferred tax on unrealised gains (12,309) (9,321) (8,342)
EPRA NDV 687,030 631,232 662,863
b) EPRA NDV per share (p) Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at
30 June As at As at
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December
2023 2023
£'000
£'000
EPRA NDV £'000 687,030 631,232 662,863
Number of shares used for per share calculations 323,592,468 322,612,685 323,154,373
EPRA NDV per share (p) 212.3 195.7 205.1
EPRA NDV per share growth and total return
Opening EPRA NDV/share (p) 205.1 196.5 196.5
Closing EPRA NDV/share (p) 212.3 195.7 205.1
Movement in the period/year (p) 7.2 (0.8) 8.6
EPRA NDV per share growth 3.5% (0.4%) 4.4%
Dividends paid per share (p) 1.0 0.9 1.4
Total return per share (p) 8.2 0.1 10.0
Total return as a percentage of opening EPRA NDV 4.0% 0.1% 5.1%
To help retain and incentivise a team with the requisite skills, knowledge and
experience to deliver strong, long-term, sustainable growth for shareholders
Harworth runs a number of share schemes for employees. The dilutive impact of
these on the number of shares at 30 June is set out below:
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at
30 June As at As at
2024
30 June 31 December
2023 2023
Number of shares used for per share calculations 323,592,468 322,612,685 323,154,373
Outstanding share options and shares held in trust under employee share 6,998,372 5,315,172 5,223,777
schemes
Number of diluted shares used for per share calculations 330,590,840 327,927,857 328,378,150
c) Diluted EPRA NDV per share (p) Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at
30 June As at As at
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December
2023 2023
£'000
£'000
EPRA NDV £'000 687,030 631,232 662,863
Number of diluted shares used for per share calculations 330,590,840 327,927,857 328,378,150
Diluted EPRA NDV per share (p) 207.8 192.4 201.9
Diluted EPRA NDV per share growth and total return
Opening EPRA NDV/share (p) 201.9 194.5 194.5
Closing EPRA NDV/share (p) 207.8 192.4 201.9
Movement in the period/year (p) 5.9 (2.1) 7.4
Diluted EPRA NDV per share growth 2.9% (1.1%) 3.8%
Dividends paid per share (p) 1.0 0.9 1.4
Total return per share (p) 6.9 (1.2%) 8.8
Total return as a percentage of opening diluted EPRA NDV 3.4% (0.6%) 4.5%
d) Net loan to EPRA NDV Unaudited Unaudited Audited
As at
30 June As at As at
2024
£'000 30 June 31 December
2023 2023
£'000
£'000
Net debt (80,484) (63,652) (36,392)
EPRA NDV 687,030 631,232 662,863
Net loan to EPRA NDV 11.7% 10.1% 5.5%
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