oryx international growth fund limited report and accounts
Transcription
oryx international growth fund limited report and accounts
ORYX INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND LIMITED REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2007 ORYX INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND LIMITED INDEX PAGE DIRECTORS 2 INTRODUCTION 3 CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT 4 INVESTMENT ADVISER’S REPORTS 5 TEN LARGEST EQUITY HOLDINGS 7 INVESTMENT SCHEDULE 10 DIRECTORS’ REPORT 13 REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS 19 CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET 21 COMPANY BALANCE SHEET 22 CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT 23 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 24 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS 25 ADMINISTRATION 37 NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 38 Page 1 ORYX INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND LIMITED DIRECTORS NIGEL CAYZER (Chairman) British Chairman of Aberdeen Asian Smaller Companies Investment Trust plc. CHRISTOPHER MILLS British Director of J O Hambro Capital Management Limited, Chief Executive of North Atlantic Smaller Companies Investment Trust plc, Chief Executive of American Opportunity Trust plc. RUPERT EVANS British Consultant to Ozannes. SIDNEY CABESSA French Chairman of CIC Finance, Investment Fund, subsidiary of the 5th French banking group, CIC - Crédit Mutuel. Director of Nature et Découvertes, International Metal Service, Nord Est, Club-Sagem, Crédit Industriel de Normandie, CIC Securities, CIC Capital Privé, Medias-Participation, HRA Pharma, Carlyle Europe. COLIN HANNAWAY American Senior Vice President of Sterling Grace Corporation, Director of Trustees Executors Limited (NZ), Director of Sheffield Investments Holdings (NZ). WALID CHATILA Canadian Director of Finance and Administration of Emirates Holdings. JOHN RADZIWILL (appointed 1 May 2007) British Director of International Assets Holding Corp, Lionheart Partners, Inc., USA Micro Cap Value Co. Ltd, Goldcrown Group Limited and Baltimore (Bermuda) Ltd (formerly Acquisitor Holdings Ltd) and Baltimore (Guernsey) Ltd (formerly New York Holdings Ltd). Page 2 ORYX INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND LIMITED INTRODUCTION POLICY The investment policy of the Company is to develop a long-term portfolio, principally of equity and equity-related investments in medium and small companies. Dividend income will be a secondary consideration in making investment decisions. STRUCTURE The Company is a closed-ended investment company incorporated in Guernsey as a company limited by shares and listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange. The issued capital during the year comprises the Company's Ordinary Shares and also the C Shares issued to shareholders of Baltimore plc (see Note 1). MANAGER & INVESTMENT ADVISER The manager and investment adviser during the year was North Atlantic Value LLP, a limited liability partnership incorporated under the Limited Partnerships Act 2000 (partnership number OC304213) and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Page 3 ORYX INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND LIMITED CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT The year under review was one of significant change for your company. In the first half of the year, the company successfully completed the acquisition of Baltimore plc. This was done through the issuance of a new class of “C” shares. These shares have traded in parallel with the ordinary shares since the completion in July 2006. Since that date the Investment Manager, North Atlantic Value, has been aligning the two portfolios so as to allow the two classes of shares to be merged into one. The board are hopeful of bringing forward proposals to effect this during the second half of the year. In the second half of the year, your company merged with American Opportunity Trust PLC and this was completed in February 2007. The cost of these transactions was largely paid by third parties. The costs of acquiring Baltimore was borne by the shareholders of Baltimore and a significant part of the cost of American Opportunity Trust was borne by that company’s shareholders and J O Hambro Capital Management. The effect of these two transactions was to bring additional assets to the company of £46m. This will help liquidity and spread the costs over a significantly greater asset base, thereby benefiting all shareholders. I am very pleased to report another set of solid results with the Published Net Asset Value of the ordinary shares rising by 11% and the C shares (since July 2006) by 15%. This satisfactory trend of delivering value to shareholders is derived from our strategy of only investing in companies where value can be identified and realised through pro-active management. In 2005, in line with the original prospectus, a special resolution was included in the 2005 Annual General Meeting to wind the Company up. At that time, we indicated that a similar resolution would be put to shareholders in 2007 and every two years thereafter. We will include the same resolution in this year’s AGM but, having consulted with a number of significant shareholders, your board does not believe it will succeed. If that is the case, a similar resolution will be put in 2009. In line with our stated policy, your Board do not propose paying a dividend, however it will be our intention to continue buying in ordinary shares when the discount allows it to be enhancing to net asset value. The current year has started well and your board views the future with confidence. Nigel Cayzer Chairman Page 4 ORYX INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND LIMITED INVESTMENT ADVISER’S REPORTS INVESTMENT ADVISER'S REPORT - ORDINARY SHARES During the year ended 31 March 2007, the published net asset value per ordinary share rose by 11% as compared with a rise in the FTSE Small Cap Index of 11% and a fall in the AIM Index of 4%. Quoted Portfolio: United Kingdom: The Trust continues to benefit from the Trust’s activist strategy. A major stake was taken in Compel and this has now been sold following a takeover bid. The holding in Augean was sold to a strategic buyer at a premium and then acquired back at a lower price. Georgica has announced it will break itself up as, to some extent, has Gleeson. TelecomPlus performed very well during the year rising 50% having entered into arrangements with RWE which could lead to a bid within the next two years. BBA split itself into two companies and we have increased our holding in BBA Aviation, which we believe has excellent growth prospects. Nationwide Accident, which was held in the Trust’s private portfolio, performed extremely well following its IPO rising nearly 50%. A recent investment – Cardpoint – rose 10% following the introduction of a new management team. Assetco - another recent investment – rose 10% and since the end of the period a further 15%. Two holdings – Watermark and Lambert Howarth – were disappointing although there is reason to believe that there could be a recovery from the current depressed levels. Finally, the Trust took a significant position in an IPO – Inspired Gaming – which has subsequently risen by nearly 60% since the listing. United States: The majority of the United States portfolio was acquired following the recent acquisition of AOT. To date, one success has been achieved – Lesco which rose by nearly 40% following a takeover. Netbank on the other hand has been disappointing. Unquoted Portfolio: The unquoted portfolio performed well during the period under review. Santa Maria/Ontario was taken over in January whilst Carwash has received a bid which has subsequently gone through. Unfortunately, the benefit to the Trust was to some extent offset by the weakness of the Canadian and US dollar respectively. DM Technical Services was written up to reflect an outstanding trading performance in anticipation of an IPO in 2007. Should this be successful this will result in a further significant uplift in valuation. Motherwell Bridge is also exceeding expectations and is likely to be written up later in the current year. Outlook: Markets have continued to perform surprisingly well despite the extended nature of the markets rise since April 2003 against a background of rising interest and inflation rates. The portfolio is heavily orientated towards special situations where in many cases we are working to extract value and this should provide some protection in the event of a market downturn. The unquoted portfolio should add further value to the company but this is now relatively small and it is hard to find transactions at attractive prices given the plethora of private equity capital available at this time. In conclusion it is anticipated that the company will continue to make progress in the current year. North Atlantic Value LLP July 2007 Page 5 ORYX INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND LIMITED INVESTMENT ADVISER’S REPORTS (continued) INVESTMENT ADVISER'S REPORT - C SHARES Since the acquisition of Baltimore for Oryx C shares the published net asset value of an Oryx C share has risen by 15% compared to rises in the FTSE Small Cap Index of 17% and the AIM Index of 10%. Since Baltimore’s acquisition, your investment advisors have worked diligently to resolve a number of legacy issues. Assets held in an Employment Benefit Trust have been returned and the company’s self insurance programme has been closed down and the capital recovered. The company’s extensive network of overseas subsidiaries are being closed down, but this is proving to be a laborious process and will probably not be completed until September. The C investment portfolio however is now very similar to that of Oryx and as soon as the remaining subsidiaries are liquidated, it is the board’s intention to complete the merger of the two entities. Good progress has been made across the portfolio. The old investments in Baltimore have largely been disposed of at a premium to the transfer value. The only large holding left is Bavaria which has reported excellent results and has risen by nearly 20%. The new investments have generally performed well with particular attention to Compel +70%, Inspired Gaming +55%, Gleeson +10%, TelecomPlus +33% and Electronic Data Processing +20%. This to some extent is offset by Avanti Screen Media down 11% and Watermark which, although a small holding, fell 50%. North Atlantic Value LLP July 2007 Page 6 ORYX INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND LIMITED TEN LARGEST EQUITY HOLDINGS as at 31 March 2007 UK Treasury Bill 0% 05/08/2007 Cost £5,453,970 (5,500,000 shares) Market value £5,470,671 representing 6.68% of Net Asset Value Compel Group Plc Cost £2,701,356 (2,930,000 shares) The company is a small conglomerate offering technology rental services and consulting. Profits rose 60% last year and the outlook for the current years is good. The shares were acquired at a significant discount to the estimated underlying value of the business. The business has recently been acquired at a substantial premium to cost. Market value £4,307,100 representing 5.26% of Net Asset Value BBA Aviation Plc Cost £4,058,018 (1,450,000 shares) BBA Aviation serves two primary markets – Flight Support and Aftermarket Services and Systems. Flight Support services include refuelling, cargo handling, ground handling and other services to the business and commercial aviation markets. Aftermarket Services and Systems activities include overhaul of jet engines, supply of aircraft parts, design, manufacture and overhaul of landing gear, aircraft hydraulics and other aircraft equipment. BBA Aviation's major markets include the USA, Asia, the UK and Europe, with company headquarters in London, England. With annual sales of £1.0 billion BBA Aviation's businesses have a leading market position and strong growth potential. They employ 10,700 people in 11 countries on 5 continents. Market value £4,074,500 representing 4.97% of Net Asset Value Bavaria Industriekapital Cost £1,933,664 (91,450 shares) "BAVARIA Industriekapital AG is an industrial holding company with more than 3,000 employees. They invest in European businesses that match one or more of the following criteria: i) Industrial manufacturing or services businesses with a minimum turnover of EUR 50 million; ii) Strong market position with a good reputation and stable customer base; iii) Special situations / businesses in a state of upheaval (e.g. change in management or strategy required, unresolved succession issues, low profitability). They usually acquire the majority of the equity in our portfolio companies and actively manage investments to increase the return on investment and to ensure the long-term success of the business. This investment was acquired as part of the Baltimore portfolio. A 3 for 1 stock split is planned with an x-date 30/8/07. The business is cash rich and undervalued." Market value £3,356,345 representing 4.10% of Net Asset Value Page 7 ORYX INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND LIMITED TEN LARGEST EQUITY HOLDINGS (continued) as at 31 March 2007 Cardpoint Plc Cost £3,066,709 (3,457,393 shares) "Cardpoint is the market leader in the independent cash machine sector with operations in the UK and Germany. The company also operates cash machines for banks and building societies. In the UK, Cardpoint operates cash machines for Bradford & Bingley and Norwich and Peterborough Building Societies. In Germany Cardpoint has a partnership with GE Money Bank. The company, which has its headquarters in Blackpool, has over 5,500 terminals in the UK & Europe. These are split between: i) Over 5,000 cash machines installed across the UK, processing more than 8 million transactions a month and dispensing more than £300 million in cash each month ii) 750 cash machines installed across Germany. Cardpoint is a full member of the LINK Network the only branded shared network of cash machines and self-service terminals in the UK. The service provides a telecoms and settlement infrastructure to its members. It allows some 98 million cardholders of every member financial institution to use the cash machine of another LINK member.” Market value £3,224,019 representing 3.94% of Net Asset Value Gleeson (MJ) Group Plc Cost £2,409,709 (741,497 shares) Gleeson (MJ) Group Plc is a construction operations company. The Group builds houses and private purchases housing associations and local authorities, in addition to providing electrical/mechanical engineering contracting, property investment, and residential and commercial development services. The company has announced a radical restructuring of its business portfolio which is expected to significantly enhance shareholder value over the next twelve months. Market value £3,025,307 representing 3.69% of Net Asset Value Inspired Gaming Group Plc Cost £1,832,401 (1,000,000 shares) "Inspired Gaming Group Plc (INGG) is the leading player worldwide in the Open Server-Based Gaming (Open SBG™) market and is also the leading provider of analogue and Open SBG™ machines in the UK for the leisure and gaming markets. The Group provides Open SBG™ software systems and Open SBG™ digital and networked terminals in seven countries today. The Group manages over 82,000 machines across the UK, of which in excess of 20,000 are already on the Open SBG™ platform. The Group also has over 15,000 machines connected to its network overseas. The Group's customer base includes pubs, bars, casinos, bingo halls, licensed betting offices, holiday parks and other out of home leisure venues. Key customers include the major pub companies and gaming companies such as William Hill and Gala Coral Group. The Group is also the leading provider of Fixed Odds Betting Terminals, itbox skill gaming terminals, and other Open SBG™ variants." Market value £2,957,500 representing 3.61% of Net Asset Value Page 8 ORYX INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND LIMITED TEN LARGEST EQUITY HOLDINGS (continued) as at 31 March 2007 Telecoms Plus Plc Cost £1,961,163 (1,438,832 shares) The company is the UK’s leading bill aggregate for the utility industry offering its clients all of the major utilities through a simple monthly payment. The company has substantial cash balances and no debt. Earlier this year the company entered into a performance related contract which gave Powergen the right to acquire the business at about twice the current share price. The company recently stated that trading was ahead of budget. Market value £2,827,306 representing 3.45% of Net Asset Value RPC Group Plc Cost £2,921,100 (1,071,215 shares) - (LSE Listed) "The RPC Group is Europe`s leading manufacturer of rigid plastic packaging, unique in offering products made by all three main conversion processes, blowmoulding, injection moulding and thermoforming. It has over 50 autonomous manufacturing sites in 13 countries employing in excess of 6,800 people. RPC serves a comprehensive range of customers - from the largest European manufacturers of consumer products, to smaller national businesses. It has a particularly strong position in the beauty and personal care sector, the vending and drinking cup market, the margarine and spreads sector and multilayer sheet and packs for oxygen sensitive food products." Market value £2,707,496 representing 3.31% of Net Asset Value Asset Co plc Cost £2,229,846 (1,473,540 shares) - (AIM Listed) "AssetCo is a leading provider of total managed services to UK fire and rescue authorities. The company designs, builds and converts specialist vehicles and equipment for emergency and mission critical service clients. AssetCo plc was formed following the reverse takeover of AssetCo Group Limited by Asfare Group plc on the 30th March 2007. AssetCo plc headquarters are in Ruislip, Greater London and we employ around 500 people in 8 locations. The business is organised into two distinct operating divisions: The Emergency Service Division brings together the combination of our operational management expertise and strength of our Vehicles and Equipment within the emergency services supply chain to deliver a range of fully managed services. The Emergency Equipment Division has been established to ensure our clients have access to an extensive range of specialist vehicles and equipment all from under one roof." Market value £2,505,018 representing 3.06% of Net Asset Value Page 9 ORYX INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND LIMITED INVESTMENT SCHEDULE as at 31 March 2007 (Expressed in pounds sterling) Holding Fair Value £ Proportion of Net Assets % 500,000 120,000 1,473,540 1,700,000 200,000 654,100 1,000,000 8,800 91,450 1,450,000 1,621,330 3,457,393 3,000 9,685,000 2,500,000 2,930,000 30,000 3,740,000 100,000 450,000 94,400 1,650,000 1,500,000 741,497 1,000,000 490,183 1,000,000 5,000 5,000 600,000 206,057 200,000 12,000,000 120,000 950,000 410,000 1,275,000 30,000 1,000 1,306,250 2,176,000 1,840,000 1,067,965 2,505,018 2,210,000 204,000 1,687,578 20,000 191,730 3,356,345 4,074,500 376,959 3,224,019 129,000 338,734 1,562,500 4,307,100 99,000 2,468,400 599,000 463,500 855,939 2,029,500 75,291 3,025,307 1,440,000 141,768 2,957,500 8,850 3,388 339,000 1,509,736 1,315,169 2,160,000 794,582 1,662,500 459,751 714,000 74,100 9,386 914,375 1,517,760 2.25 1.30 3.06 2.70 0.25 2.06 0.02 0.23 4.10 4.97 0.46 3.94 0.16 0.41 1.91 5.26 0.12 3.01 0.73 0.57 1.05 2.48 0.09 3.69 1.76 0.17 3.61 0.01 – 0.41 1.84 1.61 2.64 0.97 2.03 0.56 0.87 0.09 0.01 1.12 1.85 LISTED INVESTMENTS Great Britain - Equities (90.40%, 2006: 56.69%) Aero Inventory Plc American Physicians Service Corp AssetCo Plc Augean Plc Aurum Mining Plc Avanti Screenedia Group Plc Babble.Net Group Plc Bancorp Rhode Isalnd Inc Bavaria Industriekapital BBA Aviation Plc Bionostics Plc Cardpoint Plc Castle Acquisitions Plc Chapelthorpe Plc Communisis Plc Compel Group Plc Davenham Group Plc Electronic Data Processing Plc Enterprise Plc Fayrewood Plc Franklin Bank Corp (Houston) Georgica Plc Global Voice Group Ltd Gleeson (MJ) Group Plc Hampson Industries Plc Icarbon Corp Inspired Gaming Group Plc James Cropper Plc Jarvis Plc Lambert Howarth Group Plc Lesco Inc Meadow Valley Corp Mid States Plc MTR Gaming Group Inc Nationwide Accident Repair Services Plc NetBank Inc Newfound Optos Plc Park-Ohio Holdings Corp Parity Group Plc Photo-Me International Plc Page 10 ORYX INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND LIMITED INVESTMENT SCHEDULE (continued) as at 31 March 2007 (Expressed in pounds sterling) Holding Fair Value £ Proportion of Net Assets % 102,592 30,000 1,020,333 818 1,064,554 1,071,215 5,000 1,000 30,000,000 79,500 302,844 1,438,832 4,400,000 5,000 500,000 5,500,000 2,990,000 400,000 40,000 375,000 220,574 528,655 1,703,956 – – 2,707,496 15,675 7,550 824,121 450,978 1,077,169 2,827,306 1,540,000 3,300 705,279 5,470,671 627,900 1,156,000 948,626 487,500 0.27 0.65 2.08 – – 3.31 0.02 0.01 1.01 0.55 1.32 3.45 1.88 – 0.86 6.68 0.77 1.41 1.16 0.60 74,036,006 90.40 207,708 35,777 240,862 0.25 0.04 0.29 484,347 0.58 74,520,353 90.98 LISTED INVESTMENTS (continued) Pinewood Shepperton Plc Prosperity Bancshares Inc Quarto Group Inc Quokka Sports Inc Quokka Sports Inc Sun Notes RPC Group Plc RWS Holdings Plc Renishaw Plc Sirvis IT Plc Sterling Banchares Inc Sunlink Health Systems Inc Telecoms Plus Plc Tinopolis Plc Top Ten Holdings Plc TRM Corp UK Treasury Bill 0% 05/08/2007 Watermark Group Plc Whatman Plc W-H Energy Services Inc WH Ireland Group Plc USA and Canada - Equities 0.58% (2006: 3.30%) Catalina Lighting Inc Nasdaq Stock Market Inc PVC Container Corp Total Listed Investments Page 11 60,200 2,400 101 ORYX INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND LIMITED INVESTMENT SCHEDULE (continued) as at 31 March 2007 (Expressed in pounds sterling) Holding Fair Value £ Proportion of Net Assets % 77,759 472,241 35,000 97,803 245,092 595,000 500,000 406,668 203,334 270 100,000 777,590 510,020 35,000 – – 89,250 – 406,668 203,334 945,000 – 0.95 0.62 0.04 – – 0.11 – 0.50 0.25 1.15 – 2,966,862 3.62 4,860 150,019 570,820 211,998 303,165 – – – 0.01 0.18 0.70 0.26 0.37 – – – 1,240,862 1.52 4,207,724 5.14 78,728,077 96.12 5,593,509 6.83 (2,417,219) (2.95) UNLISTED INVESTMENTS Great Britain - Equities (3.62%, 2006: 13.76%) DM Technical, Plc DM Technical Preference Shares Gei Group Ltd B Shares IPT Group Class A Shares Icarbon Warrants Izodia Plc Langbar International Ltd Motherwell Bridge Motherwell Bridge Loan Orthoplastics Ltd Wembley Plc USA and Canada - Equities 1.52% (2006: 2.90%) Car Wash Partners Car Wash Ser B Pref Car Wash Ser C Pref Lionheart USA Micro Partners Primesco, Inc Progeny Holdings Common Progeny Preference Progeny Senior Total Unlisted Investments Total Investments Cash Other Net Liabilities 47,905 328,516 1,875,000 1 21,339 188 289 56,418 £81,904,367 Total Net Assets Page 12 100.00 ORYX INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND LIMITED DIRECTORS’ REPORT The Directors are pleased to present their Report and the Accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2007. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE INTRODUCTION A statement of the Company's compliance with the corporate governance principles as laid down in the Combined Code issued by the United Kingdom Listing Authority and how these principles have been applied is provided below. Where the Company differs from the Combined Code, it is highlighted below. THE BOARD The Board is comprised of six independent non-executive Directors including the Chairman Nigel Cayzer and one non-executive director, Christopher Mills who is an employee of the Investment Manager. John Radzwill was appointed to the board on 1 May 2007. The Board does not consider it necessary to appoint a senior independent Director. An evaluation of directors' performance has not taken place during the period under review. The Audit Committee is chaired by Nigel Cayzer, the Board is in the process of considering whether another independent non-executive Director should be appointed in place of Mr. Cayzer in order to comply with the Combined Code. The Audit Committee comprises of the entire Board, which, given its small size and constitution is considered appropriate. In order to comply with the Combined Code the Audit Committee will be reconstituted to comprise of wholly independent non-executive directors. During the year to which these accounts relate there were five Board Meetings held on 5 September 2006, 19 September 2006, 3 October 2006, 20 December 2006 and 23 February 2007. The full Board also comprised the Nominations Committee which sits as and when appropriate to replace directors who retire from the Board. The Board has not deemed it necessary to appoint a remuneration committee as, being comprised of a majority of wholly independent Directors, the whole board considers these matters on an ongoing basis. The table below shows the number of Board Meetings attended by each director during the accounting year. Director Board Meetings Attended Audit Committee Meetings Attended Mr. N. Cayzer Mr. R. Evans Mr. C. Hannaway Mr. S. Cabessa Mr. W. Chatila Mr. C. Mills Mr. J. Radziwill (appointed 1 May 2007) 5 4 4 4 4 4 – 3 4 – 1 1 – – Directors are appointed initially until the following Annual General Meeting when, under the Company's Articles of Association it is required that they be re-elected by shareholders. Thereafter two directors shall retire by rotation, or if only one director is subject to retire by rotation he shall retire. The retiring directors will then be eligible for reappointment. Page 13 ORYX INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND LIMITED DIRECTORS’ REPORT (continued) INTERNAL CONTROLS The Board has delegated the responsibility for the management of the Company's investment portfolio, the provision of custody services and the administration, registrar and corporate secretarial functions including the independent calculation of the Company's Net Asset Value and the production of the Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements. Whilst the Board delegates responsibility, it retains responsibility for the functions it delegates out and is responsible for the system of internal control. Formal contractual agreements have been put in place between the company and providers of these services. The Board of Directors directly on an ongoing basis and via its Audit Committee is in the process of formalising a system to identify and manage the risks inherent in such contractual arrangements by assessing and evaluating the performance of the service providers including financial, operational and compliance controls and risk management systems. On an ongoing basis compliance reports are provided at each board meeting from the Custodian and Administrator, and the Audit Committee will review the SAS 70 reports on these service providers. The extent and quality of the systems of internal control and compliance adopted by the Investment Manager, will also be reviewed on a regular basis. The Board believes that it has implemented an effective system for the assessment of risk, but the Company has no staff, has no internal audit function and can only give reasonable but not absolute assurance that there has been no material financial misstatement or loss. AUDIT COMMITTEE The function of the Audit Committee is to ensure that the Company maintains the highest standards of integrity, financial reporting and internal control. The Audit Committee will meet with the Company's external auditors at least twice a year to review the Annual and Semi-annual Accounts. The Audit Committee may meet more frequently if the Audit Committee deems necessary or if required by the Company's Auditors. The Company's Auditors shall be advised of the timing of the Audit Committee Meetings. The Audit Committee shall have access to the Compliance officers of the Investment Manager, the Investment Adviser, the Administrator and the Custodian. The Company Secretary shall be the Secretary of the Audit Committee and shall attend all Meetings of the Audit Committee. The duties and terms of reference of the Committee are: 1) To review and make recommendations on the appointment of the Company's Auditors, the scope of the audit, the audit fee and any questions of resignation or dismissal of the Auditors; 2) To discuss with the Auditors the nature and scope of the audit and to keep under review such scope and its cost-effectiveness; 3) To receive and review a Report from the Company's Auditors and to discuss any matters arising from the audit and recommendations made by them; Page 14 ORYX INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND LIMITED DIRECTORS’ REPORT (continued) AUDIT COMMITTEE (continued) 4) To review the Company's Semi-annual and Annual Accounts and any other financial information to be published by the Company, in each case before issue or publication prior to their submission to the Board having particular regard to: a) Whether the accounting policies continue to be appropriate to the business; b) any changes in accounting policies or practice and whether they are appropriate to the business; c) any important areas were judgement must be exercised e.g. valuation of unquoted investments; d) any significant adjustments arising from the audit; e) the going concern assumption; f) other legal or UK Listing Authority requirements; 5) To ensure that the internal controls systems of the service providers are adequate. To receive reports from the Company's service providers covering internal control systems and procedures supported either by SAS 70 or FRAG 21 Reports. In light of the above, to review the Company's statement on internal controls prior to endorsement by the Board; 6) To monitor the company's procedures for ensuring compliance with statutory, regulatory and other financial reporting requirements i.e. the Guernsey Financial Services Commission, and the London Stock Exchange; 7) To review significant transactions outside the Company's normal business (e.g. Company share buy backs); 8) To consider any other topics referred to it by the Board. The Audit Committee is satisfied that auditor objectivity and independence is maintained. The Audit Committee is authorised by the Board to investigate any activity within its terms of reference. It is authorised to obtain outside legal or other independent professional advice and to secure the attendance of outsiders with relevant experience and expertise if it considers this necessary. The Board on an ongoing basis evaluates its own effectiveness, the effectiveness of its Committees and the division of responsibilities between the Board and the Investment Manager. SHAREHOLDER RELATIONS The Board monitors the trading activity and shareholder profile on a regular basis and maintains contact with the Company's principal market makers to ascertain the views of shareholders. Shareholder sentiment is also ascertained by the careful monitoring of the discount/premium that the shares are traded in the market against the NAV per share when compared to the discounts experienced by the Company's peer group. Major shareholders are contacted directly on a regular basis, and shareholders are invited to attend the Company's Annual General Meeting in person and ask questions of the Board of Directors and Investment Manager. The Company reports to Shareholders twice a year and a proxy voting card is sent to shareholders with the Annual Report and Financial Statements. The Registrar monitors the voting of the shareholders and proxy voting is taken into consideration when votes are cast at the Annual General Meeting. Shareholders may contact the Directors via the Company Secretary. Page 15 ORYX INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND LIMITED DIRECTORS’ REPORT (continued) NOMINATION COMMITTEE A nomination committee has been established whose responsibilities include: – Leading the process for Board appointments; and – Making recommendations to the Board. The nomination committee consists of independent non-executive directors. LITIGATION The Company is not engaged in any litigation or claim of material importance, nor, so far as the Directors are aware, is any litigation or claim of material importance pending or threatened against the Company. INTERNAL AND FINANCIAL REPORTING The Board is responsible for establishing, maintaining and reviewing the effectiveness of the Company’s system of internal control. Internal control systems are designed to meet the particular needs of the company and the risks to which it is exposed, and by their very nature provide reasonable, but not absolute, assurance against material misstatement or loss. The key procedures which have been established to provide effective internal controls are as follows: - BNP Paribas Fund Services (Guernsey) Limited is responsible for the provision of administration and company secretarial duties, HSBC Securities Services (Guernsey) Limited resigned as administrator and company secretary with effect from 31 March 2007; - The duties of investment management, accounting and the custody of assests are segregated. The procedures are designed to compliment one another; - The non-executive Directors of the Company clearly define the duties and responsibilities of their agents and advisers in the terms of their contracts; and - The Board reviews financial information produced by the Manager on a regular basis. DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES The Directors are responsible for preparing accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company and of the surplus or deficit for that year and are in accordance with applicable laws. In preparing these accounts, the Directors are required to: – select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; – make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; – state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the accounts; and – prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Company will continue in business. RESULTS The results for the year are set out on page 23. The Directors do not propose payment of a dividend (2006 - Nil). CAPITAL VALUES At 31 March 2007 the value of consolidated net assets available to shareholders was £ 81,904,367 (2006 - £31,352,800) and the consolidated Net Asset Value per share was £3.27 (2006 - £2.96) for ordinary shares and £1.15 for C Shares. This was £ 3.27 (2006 - £2.96) for ordinary shares and £1.15 for C Shares on a diluted basis, as shown in the Consolidated Balance Sheet on page 21. Page 16 ORYX INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND LIMITED DIRECTORS’ REPORT (continued) DIRECTORS The Directors listed on page 2 all served throughout the year under review except John Radzwill who was appointed to the board on 1 May 2007. In accordance with Article 76 of the Articles of Association of the Company, C. Hannaway, C. Mills and W. Chatila resigned from the Board of Directors on 21 December 2006 at the Annual General Meeting, and were re-appointed to the Board of Directors at the same time. Certain Directors have an interest in the Company by way of their investment in the shares of the Company. The details of these interests, at 31 March 2007 and the date of this report, are as follows: Directors' Investments Christopher Mills holds a beneficial interest of 328,716 Ordinary Shares. Nigel Cayzer holds a non-beneficial interest of 540,000 C Shares. No other Directors had a beneficial or non-beneficial interest in the Company during the year under review. Directors’ Interests 1) Christopher Mills is a principal shareholder and director of J O Hambro Capital Management (Holdings) Limited, which in turn holds 100% of issued share capital in North Atlantic Value LLP, the Manager and Investment Adviser. The Investment Adviser is entitled to fees as detailed in note 7. 2) Rupert Evans is a consultant to the law firm Ozannes, the legal adviser to the Company and was a director of the previous Manager, which receives remuneration. 3) There are no Directors’ service contracts with the Company. INVESTMENT MANAGER In the opinion of the Directors, the continuing appointment of the investment manager on the terms agreed is in the best interests of the shareholders as a whole. The principal contents of the investment management agreement are disclosed in note 7 to these accounts. SIGNIFICANT SHAREHOLDINGS The Directors are aware of the following shareholdings, which represent a beneficial interest of 3% or more of the issued share capital of the Company: Shareholder Number of Ordinary Shares 31 March 2007 Bank of New York (Nominees) Limited Bank of New York (Nominees) Limited Chase Nominees Limited Hussain Al Nowais Nortrust Nominees Limited Credit Suisse Client Nominees (UK) Limited Citivic Nominees Limited State Street Nominees Limited 3,258,859 2,739,000 1,512,500 1,150,000 847,161 735,000 514,000 500,000 Page 17 ORYX INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND LIMITED DIRECTORS’ REPORT (continued) SIGNIFICANT SHAREHOLDINGS (continued) Shareholder Number of C Shares 31 March 2007 BNY (OCS) Nominees Limited HSBC Global Custody Nominee (UK) The Bank Of New York (Nominees) Goldman Sachs Securities (Nominees) Baltimore Capital Plc Trustee HSBC Global Custody Nominee (UK) HSBC Global Custody Nominee (UK) Nortrust Nominees Limited HSBC Global Custody Nominee (UK) Hanover Nominees Limited HSBC Global Custody Nominee (UK) The Bank Of New York (Nominees) 5,081,942 2,542,376 2,508,727 2,020,437 1,910,162 1,851,791 1,243,196 1,194,682 1,065,989 1,046,222 888,324 768,401 FUTURE OF THE COMPANY As described in the Chairman's Statement, a special resolution will be included in the 2007 Annual General Meeting to wind the Company up. Having consulted with a number of significant shareholders, the Board does not believe it will succeed and therefore considers it appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis. Accordingly, these financial statements do not include adjustments that might arise from a winding up of the Company. Such adjustments could result in a reduction in the reported Net Asset Value per share. SECRETARY The Secretary as at 31 March 2007, HSBC Securities Services (Guernsey) Limited, had been in office for the year under review. CHANGE OF SECRETARY, ADMINISTRATOR AND CUSTODIAN HSBC Securities Services (Guernsey) Limited resigned as secretary and administrator and HSBC Custody Services (Guernsey) Limited resigned as custodian of the Company with effect from 31 March 2007. BNP Paribas Fund Services (Guernsey) Limited has been appointed as secretary, administrator and custodian with effect from 1 April 2007. AUDITORS Following the transfer of their business to RSM Robson Rhodes (Guernsey) Limited with effect from 1 January 2007, RSM Robson Rhodes resigned as auditors on 19 July 2007 and the directors appointed their successors, RSM Robson Rhodes (Guernsey) Limited, as auditors. This appointment will be ratified at the next annual general meeting. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD Sidney Cabessa, Director Rupert Evans, Director 24 September 2007 Page 18 REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF ORYX INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND LIMITED We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Oryx International Growth Fund Limited and subsidaries for the year ended 31 March 2007 on pages 21 to 36. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out therein. This report is made solely to the company's shareholders, as a body, in accordance with section 64 of The Companies (Guernsey) Law, 1994. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company's shareholders those matters we are required to state to them in an auditors' report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company's shareholders as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. Respective responsibilities of Directors and Auditors The Directors' responsibilities for preparing the Annual Report and the Financial Statements in accordance with applicable Guernsey Law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (generally accepted accounting practice) are set out in the Directors' Report under the heading of Directors' Responsibilities. Our responsibility is to audit the Financial Statements in accordance with relevant legal and regulatory requirements and International Standards on Auditing (UK & Ireland). We report to you our opinion as to whether the Financial Statements give a true and fair view and whether the Financial Statements have been properly prepared in accordance with The Companies (Guernsey) Law, 1994. We also report to you if, in our opinion, the Directors' Report is not consistent with the Financial Statements, if the Company has not kept proper accounting records or if we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit. We read other information contained in the Annual Report and consider whether it is consistent with the audited Financial Statements. The other information comprises the Chairman's Statement, the Investment Adviser's Report, the Directors' Report, the details of the Ten Largest Equity Holdings and the Investment Schedule. We consider the implications for our report if we become aware of any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the Financial Statements. Our responsibilities do not extend to any other information. Basis of audit opinion We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) issued by the Auditing Practices Board in the United Kingdom. An audit includes examination, on a test basis, of evidence relevant to the amounts and disclosures in the Financial Statements. It also includes an assessment of the significant estimates and judgements made by the Directors in the preparation of the Financial Statements, and of whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the Company's circumstances, consistently applied and adequately disclosed. We planned and performed our audit so as to obtain all the information and explanations which we considered necessary in order to provide us with sufficient evidence to give reasonable assurance that the Financial Statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or other irregularity or error. In forming our opinion, we also evaluated the overall adequacy of the presentation of information in the Financial Statements. Page 19 REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS (continued) TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF ORYX INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND LIMITED Opinion In our opinion the consolidated Financial Statements give a true and fair view in accordance with United Kingdom generally accepted accounting practice of the state of affairs of the Company as at 31 March 2007 and of its results for the year then ended, and have been properly prepared in accordance with The Companies (Guernsey) Law, 1994. RSM Robson Rhodes (Guernsey) Limited Chartered Accountants Guernsey, Channel Islands 24 September 2007 Page 20 ORYX INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND LIMITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET as at 31 March 2007 (Expressed in pounds sterling) FIXED ASSETS Listed investments at fair value (Cost £ 69,053,959: 2006 - £15,411,613) Unlisted investments at fair value (Cost £ 3,658,683: 2006 - £5,388,047) Notes 31 March 2007 £ 31 March 2006 £ 2 b), 3 74,520,353 18,916,400 2 b), 3 4,207,724 7,020,250 78,728,077 25,936,650 1,581,039 405,259 5,593,509 97,424 108,474 6,716,707 7,579,807 6,922,605 2,671,986 1,731,531 1,221,770 104,685 4,403,517 1,326,455 3,176,290 5,596,150 81,904,367 31,532,800 CURRENT ASSETS Other receivables Dividends and interest receivable Bank balances CREDITORS (amounts falling due within one year) Amounts due to brokers Creditors and accrued expenses NET CURRENT ASSETS NET ASSETS REPRESENTED BY: CAPITAL AND RESERVES Called up share capital 4 b) 20,638,610 5,333,044 Share premium Capital redemption reserve Other reserves 4 b) 5 6 34,993,797 1,246,500 25,025,460 5,678,410 1,246,500 19,274,846 61,265,757 26,199,756 81,904,367 31,532,800 TOTAL EQUITY SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS Net Asset Value per Share - Ordinary 16 £3.27 £2.96 Net Asset Value per Share - C Share 16 £1.15 N/a Diluted Net Asset Value per Share - Ordinary £3.27 £2.96 Diluted Net Asset Value per Share - C Share £1.15 N/a BY ORDER OF THE BOARD Sidney Cabessa, Director Rupert Evans, Director 24 September 2007 The notes on pages 25 to 36 form part of these financial statements Page 21 ORYX INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND LIMITED COMPANY BALANCE SHEET as at 31 March 2007 (Expressed in pounds sterling) Notes 31 March 2007 £ 31 March 2006 £ 2 b) 74,520,353 18,916,400 2 b) 2 b), f) 4,207,724 27,446,000 7,020,250 – 106,174,077 25,936,650 661,039 405,259 5,201,509 97,424 108,474 6,716,707 6,267,807 6,922,605 2,671,986 26,913,000 384,531 1,221,770 – 104,685 29,969,517 1,326,455 (23,701,710) 5,596,150 82,472,367 31,532,800 4 b) 20,638,610 5,333,044 4 b) 5 34,993,797 1,246,500 25,593,460 5,678,410 1,246,500 19,274,846 61,833,757 26,199,756 82,472,367 31,532,800 Net Asset Value per Share - Ordinary £3.27 £2.96 Net Asset Value per Share - C Share £1.17 N/a Diluted Net Asset Value per Share - Ordinary £3.27 £2.96 Diluted Net Asset Value per Share - C Share £1.17 N/a FIXED ASSETS Listed investments at fair value (Cost £ 69,053,959: 2006 - £15,411,613) Unlisted investments at fair value (Cost £ 3,658,683: 2006 - £5,388,047) Investments in subsidiaries CURRENT ASSETS Other receivables Dividends and interest receivable Bank balances CREDITORS (amounts falling due within one year) Amounts due to brokers Amounts due to subsidiary Creditors and accrued expenses NET CURRENT (LIABILITIES)/ASSETS NET ASSETS REPRESENTED BY: CAPITAL AND RESERVES Called up share capital Share premium Capital redemption reserve Other reserves TOTAL EQUITY SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS BY ORDER OF THE BOARD Rupert Evans, Director Sidney Cabessa, Director 24 September 2007 The notes on pages 25 to 36 form part of these financial statements Page 22 ORYX INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND LIMITED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT for the year ended 31 March 2007 (Expressed in pounds sterling) Notes INCOME Deposit interest Dividends and investment income 2 a) 2 a) EXPENDITURE Management and investment adviser's fee Finance charge Custodian fees Administration fees Registrar and transfer agent fees Directors' fees and expenses Audit fees Insurance Legal and professional fees Performance fee Setting up costs Miscellaneous expenses 11 NET INCOME FOR THE YEAR AFTER TAXATION Realised gains on investments (Loss)/gain on foreign currency translation Movement in unrealised (losses)/gains on revaluation of investments Transaction costs TOTAL SURPLUS ATTRIBUTABLE TO SHAREHOLDERS FOR THE YEAR Basic earnings per share – Ordinary – C Share Diluted earnings per share – Ordinary – C Share 2 d) 2 c) 2 d) 2 b) Total 2007 £ 2006 £ 298,184 1,003,169 446,522 820,751 744,706 1,823,920 318,237 854,290 1,301,353 1,267,273 2,568,626 1,172,527 610,796 – 33,649 99,009 76,554 184,488 21,410 9,651 823,668 100,000 423,228 8,029 324,682 7,220 18,155 27,344 1,391 109,311 11,500 9,000 73,960 – – 37,713 394,720 – 21,602 50,818 76,554 146,366 16,962 8,500 334,654 50,000 94,743 45,393 NET INCOME BEFORE TAXATION Taxation Continuing Operations Acquisitions 2007 2007 £ £ 216,076 – 12,047 48,191 – 38,122 4,448 1,151 489,014 50,000 328,485 (37,364) 1,240,312 1,150,170 2,390,482 620,276 61,041 117,103 178,144 552,251 (54,480) (44,865) (99,345) (83,665) 6,561 72,238 78,799 468,586 4,777,288 (155,627) 848,782 16,399 (1,375,859) 2,254,304 (346,683) (346,789) 2,905,680 2,844,934 5,626,070 3,772,030 (139,228) 18,002 878,445 1,634,122 (693,472) (126,762) 5,750,614 5,765,978 12 £0.26 £0.54 12 £0.20 N/a 12 £0.26 £0.54 12 £0.20 N/a The Group has no recognised gains and losses other than those included in the Income Statement. Acquisitions represents the Baltimore acquisition only as no separate records are available for the AOT acquisition. The notes on pages 25 to 36 form part of these financial statements Page 23 ORYX INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND LIMITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS for the year ended 31 March 2007 (Expressed in pounds sterling) Net cash (outflow)/inflow from operating activities INVESTING ACTIVITIES Purchase of investments Sale of investments Transaction costs Cash acquired on acquisition of Baltimore plc Cash acquired on acquisition of AOT Notes 2007 £ 14 (74,755) 1 1 (60,500,558) 44,330,285 (693,472) 16,052,408 1,217,440 406,103 Net cash inflow from investing activities 2006 £ 546,748 (18,009,316) 20,533,536 (126,762) – – 2,397,458 FINANCING ACTIVITIES Costs associated with issue of shares (1,315,318) – Net cash outflow from financing activities (1,315,318) – (983,970) 2,944,206 RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH FLOW TO MOVEMENT IN NET FUNDS Net cash (outflow)/inflow Exchange movements Net cash at beginning of year (983,970) (139,228) 6,716,707 2,944,206 18,002 3,754,499 Net cash at end of year 5,593,509 6,716,707 Net cash (outflow)/inflow The notes on pages 25 to 36 form part of these financial statements Page 24 ORYX INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND LIMITED NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS for the year ended 31 March 2007 1. GENERAL Oryx International Growth Fund Limited (the “Company”) was incorporated in Guernsey on 2 December 1994 and commenced activities on 3 March 1995. On 26 July 2006 the Company acquired the entire issued share capital of Baltimore plc. Under the terms of the offer, the consideration payable for these shares was in the form of an issue of a new Class of shares, Oryx C Shares, whereby each Baltimore shareholder was entitled to 1,000 Oryx C Shares for every 5,319 Baltimore shares held. On 26 July 2006, Oryx C Shares were issued as a result of Baltimore shareholders holding 140,286,701 Baltimore shares accepting the offer. At a Directors Meeting on 3 October 2006 it was resolved that the Company acquire all the remaining shares in Baltimore pursuant to a compulsory acquisition procedure. On 23 February 2007 the Company merged with Americans Opportunity Trust Plc ("AOT"). The merger was effected through a court approved scheme whereby the share capital of AOT was cancelled and its assets and liabilities were transferred to the Company. Shareholders in AOT recieved 5,586,686 new ordinary shares in the Company. 2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention as modified by the revaluation of investments and in accordance with UK applicable accounting standards. The accounting policies have been applied consistently by the Group and are consistent with those used in the previous reporting period. a) Income Recognition Dividends arising on the Group’s listed and unlisted investments have been accounted for on an ex-dividend basis. Deposit interest is accrued on a day-to-day basis. Loan interest is accounted using the effective interest method. All income is shown gross of any applicable withholding tax. b) Valuation of investments Classification All investments of the Group are designated into the financial assets at fair value through profit or loss category. The investments are purchased mainly for their capital growth and the portfolio is managed, and performance evaluated, on a fair value basis in accordance with the Company's documented investment strategy. Therefore the Directors consider that this is the most appropriate classification. This category comprises financial instruments designated at fair value through profit or loss upon initial recognition – these include financial assets that are not held for trading purposes and which may be sold. These are principally investments in listed and unlisted equities. Page 25 ORYX INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND LIMITED NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2007 2. b) ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) Valuation of investments (continued) Measurement Financial instruments are measured initially at fair value being the transaction price. Subsequent to initial recognition, all instruments classified as fair value through profit or loss are measured at fair value with changes in their fair value recognised in the Income Statement. Transaction costs are separately disclosed in the income statement. Fair value measurement principles Listed investments have been valued at the bid market price ruling at the balance sheet date. In the absence of the bid market price, the closing price has been taken, or, in either case, if the market is closed on the balance sheet date, the bid market or closing price on the preceding business day. Unlisted investments traded on AIM have been valued at their published bid prices at the balance sheet date. Unlisted investments where there is not an active market are valued using an appropriate valuation technique so as to establish fair value at the balance sheet date. The investments in subsidiaries are stated at cost less any provision for permanent dimunition in value. Transaction costs applicable to investment transactions have been recognised in the Income Statement. Valuation Point The valuation of the Company was prepared on 30 March 2007, the last business day of the year. c) Foreign Currency Translation Items included in the Group's financial statements are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which it operates (the "functional currency"). This is the pound sterling which reflects the Group's primary activity of investing in Sterling securities. The Group's shares are also issued in sterling. Foreign currency assets and liabilities have been translated at the exchange rates ruling at the balance sheet date. Transactions in foreign currency during the year have been translated into pounds sterling at the spot exchange rate in effect at the date of the transaction. Realised and unrealised gains or losses on currency translation are recognised in the Income Statement. d) Realised and Unrealised Gains and Losses Realised gains and losses arising on the disposal of investments are calculated by reference to the cost attributable to those investments and the sales proceeds, and are included in the Income Statement. Unrealised gains and losses arising on investments held at the balance sheet date are also included in the Income Statement. Page 26 ORYX INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND LIMITED NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2007 2. e) ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) Expenses Expenses in relation to the placing of C Shares were borne by the subscribers of the C Shares and have been written off against share premium. f) Consolidation These consolidated financial statements comprise the financial statements of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary undertakings, Baltimore plc and American Opportunity Trust plc. The results of subsidiary undertakings and businesses acquired are included in the Consolidated Income Statement from the date on which control passes. Acquisitions are accounted for under the acquisition method. The financial year end of Baltimore plc is 31 December 2006. In preparing these financial statements the December 2006 balances have been used as they are not materially different to that of 31 March 2007. The Directors believe it is impractical to change the year end of Baltimore plc as it will be winding up within the next 12 months. The use of the December balances is allowed under FRS2. A Company Balance Sheet has also been presented, however a Company Income Statement has not as the Directors consider this not to be materially different to the Consolidated Income Statement. The Company's net profit for the year was £6,318,614. g) Going Concern As described in the Directors' Report, a special resolution will be included in the 2007 Annual General Meeting to wind the Company up. However the Board does not believe it will succeed and therefore considers it appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis. Accordingly, these financial statements do not include adjustments that might arise from a winding up of the Company. 3. INVESTMENTS 2007 £ 20,799,660 91,049,197 (44,762,285) 5,626,070 2006 £ 18,957,402 18,603,764 (20,533,536) 3,772,030 Cost at end of the year Unrealised gains on investments 72,712,642 6,015,435 20,799,660 5,136,990 Market Value at end of the year 78,728,077 25,936,650 Cost at beginning of the year Additions Disposals Realised gains on investments Page 27 ORYX INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND LIMITED NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2007 4. a) SHARE CAPITAL AND SHARE PREMIUM Authorised Share Capital £ 25,000,000 20,000,000 50,000,000 ordinary shares of 50p each 40,000,000 C Shares of 50p each 45,000,000 On 24 July 2006, pursuant to an ordinary resolution approved at the Extraordinary General Meeting, the Company increased its Authorised Share Capital from £25,000,000 to £45,000,000 by the creation of 40,000,000 C Shares of 50p each. These shares carry the rights attached thereto set out in the new Articles of Association. b) 5. Ordinary Shares Issued - 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007 Number of Shares Ordinary shares of 50p each and Management shares of 50p each: 10,666,088 At 1 April 2006 Issued during the year 5,586,686 Share Capital £ 5,333,044 2,793,343 Share Premium £ 5,678,410 15,889,651 At 31 March 2007 16,252,774 8,126,387 21,568,061 C Shares of 50p each Number of Shares At 1 April 2006 Issued during the year – 25,024,445 Share Capital £ – 12,512,223 Share Premium £ – 13,425,736 At 31 March 2007 25,024,445 12,512,223 13,425,736 Ordinary Shares Issued - 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2006 Number of Ordinary shares of 50p each and Shares Management shares of 50p each: At 1 April 2005 10,286,317 Issued during the year 379,771 Share Capital £ 5,143,158 189,886 Share Premium £ 5,488,525 189,885 At 31 March 2006 10,666,088 5,333,044 5,678,410 31 March 2006 £ 1,246,500 Movement 31 March 2007 £ 1,246,500 CAPITAL REDEMPTION RESERVE Page 28 £ – ORYX INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND LIMITED NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2007 6. OTHER RESERVES Net investment income Realised gain on investments Loss on foreign currency transactions Unrealised gain on revaluation of investments held Repurchase of ordinary shares Repurchase of warrants Discount on repurchase of Convertible Loan Stock 31 March 2006 £ 1,403,572 18,013,173 (775,128) Movement £ (614,673) 5,626,070 (139,228) 31 March 2007 £ 788,899 23,639,243 (914,356) 5,136,991 (3,174,872) (8,179) 878,445 – – 6,015,436 (3,174,872) (8,179) (1,320,711) – (1,320,711) 19,274,846 5,750,614 25,025,460 7. MANAGEMENT AND INVESTMENT ADVISER'S FEE North Atlantic Value LLP, the Manager and Investment Adviser, is entitled to a fee of 1.25% on the first £15 million of the Net Asset Value and Loan Stock Value of the Company, and 1% of any excess, payable monthly in arrears. The agreements can be terminated giving 12 months notice or immediately should the Manager be placed into receivership or liquidation. The Manager is entitled to all fees accrued and due up to the date of such termination but is not entitled to compensation in respect of any termination. At 31 March 2007 an amount of £94,048 (2006 - £56,477) was included in creditors. 8. CUSTODIAN FEE HSBC Custody Services (Guernsey) Limited, as Custodian and Registrar up until 31 March 2007 was entitled to receive an annual fee at a rate of 0.075% on the first £15 million and 0.05% of any excess of the Net Asset Value, subject to a minimum of £10,000 per annum. At 31 March 2007 an amount of £4,845 (2006 - £3,127) was included in creditors. HSBC Custody Services (Guernsey) Limited had delegated the day to day maintenance of the register to HSBC Securities Services (Guernsey) Limited. 9. ADMINISTRATION AND REGISTRAR FEES HSBC Securities Services (Guernsey) Limited, as Secretary and Administrator up until 31 March 2007, was entitled to an annual fee at a rate of 0.10% on the first £20 million and 0.05% of any excess of the Net Asset Value, and as Delegated Registrar, to an annual fee of £1,000 per register maintained plus transaction fees. At 31 March 2007 an amount of £5,839 (2006 - £6,330) was included in creditors. 10. DIRECTORS’ FEES AND EXPENSES With the exception of the Chairman, who is entitled to a fee of £25,000 per annum, each Director is entitled to a fee of £18,000 per annum from the Company. In addition, all Directors are entitled to reimbursement of travel, hotel and other expenses incurred by them in the course of their duties relating to the Company. Page 29 ORYX INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND LIMITED NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2007 11. TAXATION The Company is eligible for exemption from taxation in Guernsey under the provisions of the Income Tax (Exempt Bodies) (Guernsey) Ordinance, 1989. As such, the Company is only liable to pay a fixed annual fee, currently £600. The taxation charge included in the Income Statement represents withholding tax suffered on dividends and investment income received in the year. 12. EARNINGS PER SHARE AND NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE The calculation of basic earnings per share for the Ordinary Shares is based on a surplus of £2,905,680 (2006 - £5,765,978) and an average number of shares in issue during the year of 11,176,184 shares (2006 – 10,602,793 shares). The calculation of basic earnings per share for the C Shares is based on a surplus of £3,412,934 and an average number of shares in issue during the year of 16,886,152. In accordance with FRS 22 - Earnings per Share, the diluted earnings per share is also disclosed. At 31 March 2007 there was no difference in the diluted earnings per share calculation for the Ordinary Shares or the C Shares. The calculation of Net Asset Value per Ordinary Share is based on a Net Asset Value of £53,121,474 (2006 – £31,352,800) and the number of shares in issue at the year end of 16,257,772 (2006 – 10,666,086). The calculation of the Net Asset Value per C Share is based on a Net Asset Value of £28,768,893 and the number of shares in issue at the year end of 25,024,445. In accordance with FRS 22 - Earnings per Share, the diluted Net Asset Value per share is also disclosed. At 31 March 2007 there was no difference between the Net Asset Value per share and the diluted Net Asset Value per share. 13. RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENT IN EQUITY SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS Company Consolidated 2006 2007 2007 £ £ £ Total surplus for the year 6,318,614 5,750,614 5,765,978 Issue of ordinary shares 18,682,994 18,682,994 379,771 Issue of C shares 25,937,959 25,937,959 – Opening equity shareholders' funds 31,532,800 31,532,800 25,387,051 Closing equity shareholders' funds 82,472,367 14. RECONCILIATION OF NET INVESTMENT INCOME TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income for the year (Increase)/decrease in dividends and interest receivable (Increase)/decrease in debtors Increase/(decrease) in creditors and accrued expenses Finance charge 81,904,367 2007 £ 78,799 (296,785) (1,483,615) 1,626,846 – (74,755) Page 30 31,532,800 2006 £ 468,586 7,429 128,660 (65,147) 7,220 546,748 ORYX INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND LIMITED NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2007 15. DERIVATIVES AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS The investment objective of the Company is to invest substantially all of its assets in medium and small companies. The assets are invested principally in equity securities. Dividend income is a secondary consideration in making investment decisions. A substantial proportion of the portfolio is held for the longer term, often a period up to seven to ten years from the date of the investment. The geographical split of the portfolio covers the United Kingdom, continental Europe and the United States. Up to 35% of the gross assets of the Company may be invested in unquoted securities or in the form of non-corporate investment, but only if the latter have a reasonable chance of realisation within a three to four year time frame. The Company may enter into transactions in financial futures and options, forward currency transactions, interest rate and currency swaps and related contracts for differences and derivative instruments and engage in stocklending activities for the purposes of maintaining or enhancing the value of its assets. During the year the Company has not traded in any derivative financial instruments. Financial instruments and risk profile The two main risks arising from the Company’s financial instruments are market price risk and foreign currency risk. The Directors review and agree policies with the Manager and Investment Adviser, North Atlantic Value LLP for managing these risks. The policies for managing the market price and foreign currency risks have remained unchanged since 1 April 2001 and are summarised as follows. Market price risk The Company’s exposure to market price risk comprises mainly movements in the value of the Company’s equity investments. As at the year end the spread of the Company’s investment portfolio analysed by sector was as set out on pages 10, 11 and 12. The Company did not hedge against movements in the value of these investments during the year. In addition, 5.14% (2006: 22.26%) of the Company’s net assets were in unquoted securities and as no market for such investments readily exists, the valuation of such investments being estimated by the Directors as set out in Note 2 b). Foreign currency risk The functional currency of the Company is Sterling and, therefore, the Company’s principal exposure to foreign currency risk comprises its investments priced in other currencies. No derivative or forward contracts were entered into during the year to hedge the currency risk. Page 31 ORYX INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND LIMITED NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2007 15. DERIVATIVES AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued) Currency Exposure on the Net Assets The table below shows the Company’s currency exposures: At 31 March 2007 Investments Cash Current assets (excluding cash) Current liabilities British Pounds £ 63,514,499 5,593,488 1,469,749 (4,403,517) £66,174,219 At 31 March 2007 Investments Cash Current assets (excluding cash) Current liabilities Euro £ 3,356,345 – – – £3,356,345 At 31 March 2006 Investments Cash Current assets (excluding cash) Current liabilities British Pounds £ 22,213,936 6,714,859 28,839 (1,326,455) £27,631,179 Page 32 Canadian Dollars £ – – 223,709 – US Dollars £ 11,781,942 21 292,840 – Signapore Dollar £ 75,291 – – – £223,709 £12,074,803 £75,291 Total £ 78,728,077 5,593,509 1,986,298 (4,403,517) £81,904,367 Canadian Dollars £ 1,768,153 – 3,335 – US Dollars £ 1,954,561 1,848 173,724 – £1,771,488 £2,130,133 Total £ 25,936,650 6,716,707 205,898 (1,326,455) £31,532,800 ORYX INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND LIMITED NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2007 15. DERIVATIVES AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued) Interest rate risk profile of financial assets and liabilities The majority of the Company’s assets are non interest bearing equity investments. The Company’s bank balances receive interest at variable rates. The fixed rate investments are made up of a 0% UK Treasury Bill. After taking these into account, the interest rate profile of the Company’s financial assets at 31 March 2007 was: Assets Sterling Other Total Total £ 69,107,987 15,213,599 Floating £ 5,593,488 21 £84,321,586 £5,593,509 Fixed Non interest £ £ 5,470,671 58,043,828 – 15,213,578 £5,470,671 £73,257,406 The interest rate profile of the Company's financial assets at 31 March 2006 was: At 31 March 2006 Assets Total Floating Fixed Non interest £ £ £ £ Sterling 28,928,796 6,714,859 – 22,213,937 Other 3,724,561 1,848 624,077 3,098,636 Total £32,653,357 £6,716,707 £624,077 £25,312,573 All assets and liabilities are carried at fair value at 31 March 2006 and 2007. Credit Risk Default/credit risk is the risk that one party to a financial instrument will fail to discharge an obligation and cause the other party to incur a financial loss. Credit risk generally is higher when a non-exchange-traded financial instrument is involved, because the counterparty is not backed by an exchange clearing house. This risk is mitigated by using reputable brokers for all investment transactions. Page 33 ORYX INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND LIMITED NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2007 16. RECONCILIATION OF NET ASSET VALUE TO PUBLISHED NET ASSET VALUE 2007 £ £ per share Ordinary shares Published Net Asset Value Management shares in issue Unrealised loss on revaluation of investments at Bid/mid price (ref. Note (a) below) Net Asset Value attributable to shareholders C Shares Published Net Asset Value Unrealised loss on revaluation of investments at Bid/mid price (ref. Note (a) below) Baltmore plc adjustment (ref. Note (b) below) Net Asset Value attributable to shareholders 53,584,915 1 (463,442) 3.30 – (0.03) 2006 £ £ per share 31,703,179 1 (170,380) 2.97 – (0.01) 53,121,474 3.27 31,532,800 2.96 28,884,961 1.15 – – (283,068) (0.01) – – 181,000 0.01 – – 28,782,893 1.15 – – (a) In accordance with United Kingdom Financial Reporting Standards the Group's long investments have been valued at bid price. However, in accordance with the Company’s principal documents the Net Asset Value reported each month reflects the investments being valued at the closing, last or mid-market (as the Directors in all circumstances considers appropriate) price as notified to the Group on the valuation day by a member of the stock exchange concerned. Certain investments remain valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Directors. (b) The financial year end of the subsidiary is 31 December 2006. In preparing these financial statements the December 2006 balances have been used as they are not materially different to that of March 2007. The Directors believe it is impractical to change the year end of Baltimore as it will be winding up within the next 12 months. The use of the December balances is allowed under FRS2. 17. RELATED PARTIES The Manager and Investment Adviser is considered to be a related party. The fees paid are included in the Consolidated Income Statement. The basis for these fees and the amounts due at the year end are disclosed in Note 7. The Administrator, Secretary, Registrar and Custodian are considered to be related parties. The fees paid to these parties are included in the Consolidated Income Statement. The basis of these fees and the amounts due at the year end are disclosed in Notes 8 and 9. The Directors are considered to be related parties. The basis of fees payable to the Directors is described in Note 10. Page 34 ORYX INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND LIMITED NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2007 18. ACQUISITIONS (a) Baltimore plc As mentioned in Note 1, on 26 July 2006 the Company acquired the entire issued share capital of Baltimore plc. Under the terms of the offer, the consideration payable for these shares was in the form of an issue of a new Class of shares, Oryx C Shares, whereby each Baltimore shareholder was entitled to 1,000 Oryx C Shares for every 5,319 Baltimore shares held. The assets and liabilities that were acquired are detailed below. Investments (ref. Note (a) below) Debtors and other assets Cash at Bank Creditors and accruals Book value £ 10,586,000 491,000 16,963,000 (1,567,000) 26,473,000 Adjustments £ 973,000 – – – 973,000 Fair value £ 11,559,000 491,000 16,963,000 (1,567,000) 27,446,000 (a) In accordance with FRS 6 and FRS26, the investments were remeasured to fair value upon acquisition. (b) Goodwill of £11,963,000 was not recognised upon acquisition as the fair value was nil. Subsequently in the books of Baltimore plc this amount was written down to nil. The summarised income statement of Baltimore plc immediately prior to acquisition is as follows: Profit on sale of investments Unrealised gain on investments Interest receivable and similar income Amounts written off investments Interest payable and similar charges Administrative expenses 1 January 2006 to 26 July 2006 £ 691,000 973,000 362,000 – – (1,804,000) 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2005 £ – – 929,000 (94,000) (56,000) (582,000) Profit before taxation Taxation 222,000 46,000 197,000 (10,000) Profit after taxation 268,000 187,000 Page 35 ORYX INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND LIMITED NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2007 18. ACQUISITIONS (continued) (b) American Opportunity Trust PLC As mentioned in Note 1, on 23 February 2007 the Company merged with Americans Opportunity Trust PLC ("AOT"). The merger was effected through a court approved scheme whereby the share capital of AOT was cancelled and its assets and liabilities were transferred to the Company. Shareholders in AOT recieved 5,586,686 new ordinary shares in the Company. The assets and liabilities that were acquired are detailed below. Investments (ref. Note (a) below) Debtors Cash at Bank Creditors and accruals Book value £ 18,015,385 196,900 1,090,582 (85,491) 19,217,376 Adjustments £ 94,549 – – – 94,549 Fair value £ 18,109,934 196,900 1,090,582 (85,491) 19,311,925 (a) In accordance with FRS 6 and FRS26, the investments were remeasured to fair value upon acquisition. The summarised income statement of American Opportunity Trust Plc immediately prior to acquisition is as follows: 1 February 2007 to 22 February 2007 £ 2,798 16,656 – – 24 (21,491) 1 February 2006 to 31 January 2007 £ 207,548 93,011 (65,595) 65,355 (885) (396,429) Profit before taxation Taxation (2,013) (420) (96,995) (31,132) Profit after taxation (2,433) (128,127) Investment income Interest income Realised losses Unrealised gains Foreign exchange gains/(losses) Administrative expenses Page 36 ORYX INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND LIMITED ADMINISTRATION REGISTERED OFFICE Royal Bank Place, 1 Glategny Esplanade, St Peter Port, Guernsey GY1 6BH MANAGER North Atlantic Value LLP Ryder Court, 14 Ryder Street, London, SW1Y 6QB INVESTMENT ADVISER North Atlantic Value LLP Ryder Court, 14 Ryder Street, London, SW1Y 6QB CUSTODIAN up to 31 March 2007 HSBC Custody Services (Guernsey) Limited P.O. Box 208, Arnold House, St. Julian’s Avenue, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands, GY1 3NF from 1 April 2007 BNP Paribas Fund Sevices (Guernsey) Limited P.O. Box 482, Royal Bank Place, 1 Glategny Esplanade St Peter Port, Guernsey GY1 6BH SECRETARY AND ADMINISTRATOR up to 31 March 2007 HSBC Securities Services (Guernsey) Limited P.O. Box 208, Arnold House, St. Julian’s Avenue, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands, GY1 3NF from 1 April 2007 BNP Paribas Fund Sevices (Guernsey) Limited P.O. Box 482, Royal Bank Place, 1 Glategny Esplanade St Peter Port, Guernsey GY1 6BH REGISTRARS Capita IRG (CI) Limited 2nd Floor, 1 Le Truchot, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands, GY1 3TF STOCKBROKER Arbuthnot Securities Limited Arbuthnot House, 20 Ropemaker Street, London, EC2Y 9AR AUDITORS RSM Robson Rhodes (Guernsey) Limited P.O. Box 313, Anson Court, La Route des Camps, St Martin, Guernsey, Channel Islands, GY1 3TF LEGAL ADVISERS To the Company as to Guernsey law: To the Company as to English law: Bircham Dyson Bell Ozannes 1, Le Marchant Street, St. Peter Port, 50 Broadway, Guernsey, Channel Islands, GY1 4HP London, SW1H 0BL Page 37 ORYX INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND LIMITED Notice of Annual General Meeting NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the Annual General Meeting of Oryx International Growth Fund Limited will be held at Royal Bank Place, 1 Glategny Esplanade, St Peter Port, Guernsey on 9 November 2007 at 10.00am for the following purposes: To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following as: Ordinary Resolutions: (1) To receive the annual financial statements and the reports of the Directors and Auditors for the year ended 31 March 2007 (2) In accordance with Article 76 of the Articles of Association of the Company, Mr Nigel Cayzer retires as a Director by rotation from the Board and is eligible for re-election (3) In accordance with Article 76 of the Articles of Association of the Company, Mr Sidney Cabessa retires as a Director by rotation from the Board and is eligible for re-election (4) In accordance with Article 76 of the Articles of Association of the Company, Mr John Radziwill retires as a Director from the Board and is eligible for re-election (5) To consider that RSM Robson Rhodes (Guernsey) Limited be appointed as Auditors of the Company until the conclusion of the next General Meeting of the Company at which Accounts are laid before the Members and to authorise the Directors to determine the remuneration of the Auditors (6) THAT, in accordance with section 5 of the Companies (Purchase of Own Shares) Ordinance, 1998, the Company be and hereby is generally and unconditionally authorised to make one or more market purchases (as defined in section 18 of the Companies (Purchase of Own Shares) Ordinance, 1998) of ordinary shares (“Ordinary Shares”) of 50 pence each in the capital of the Company on such terms and in such manner as the Directors of the Company may from time to time determine, provided that: (i) the maximum aggregate number of Ordinary Shares authorised to be purchased does not exceed 14.99 per cent. of the issued Ordinary Share capital of the Company calculated after the conversion of the C Shares of the Company to Ordinary Shares; (ii) the minimum price payable by the Company for each Ordinary Share is 50 pence and the maximum price payable by the Company for each Ordinary Share is an amount equal to 105 per cent. of the average of Page 38 the middle market quotations for an Ordinary Share as derived from The London Stock Exchange Daily Official List for the five business days immediately preceding the day on which that Ordinary Share is purchased; (iii) subject to paragraph iv, this authority shall expire at the earlier of the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company to be held in 2008 or on the date which is 18 months from the date of the passing of this resolution; and (iv) notwithstanding paragraph (iii), the Company may make a contract to purchase Ordinary Shares under this authority before the expiry of this authority which will or may be executed wholly or partly after the expiry of this authority and may make a purchase of Ordinary Shares in pursuance of any such contract after such expiry. Special Resolutions (7) In accordance with Article 143(1), that the Company be wound up. (The Board recommends that Shareholders vote against this resolution). BY ORDER OF THE BOARD BNP Paribas Fund Services (Guernsey) Limited Secretary Royal Bank Place 1 Glategny Esplanade St Peter Port Guernsey GY1 2HJ 26 September 2007 Notes: 1. Any member is entitled to appoint another person (whether a member or not) as his proxy to attend the meeting and, on a poll, vote instead of him. A proxy form is attached which, if required, should be completed in accordance with the instructions. 2. To be a valid form of proxy must be deposited at the offices of Capita Registrars, Proxies Department, PO Box 25, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 4BR not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for the holding of the meeting. If you do not wish to attend the meeting please complete and return the form of proxy as soon as possible. Page 39 ORYX INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND LIMITED Form of proxy (PLEASE USE BLOCK CAPITALS) I/We, (name in full) ________________________________________________________ of (address in full) ______________________________________________________ being (a) member(s) of Oryx International Growth Fund Limited, hereby appoint the Chairman of the meeting or the Secretary or *(note 1) __________________________ as my/our proxy to vote for me/us on my/our behalf at the Annual General Meeting of the Company, to be held on 9 November 2007, on the following Resolutions to be submitted to the meeting and at any adjournment thereof. Please indicate with an “X” in the appropriate spaces how you wish your votes to be cast. Unless otherwise instructed, the proxy will vote as he thinks fit or abstain. Ordinary Resolutions To receive the annual financial statements and the reports of the Directors and Auditors for the year ended 31 March 2007. 1. 2. In accordance with Article 76, of the Articles of Association of the Company, Mr Nigel Cayzer retires as a Director by rotation from the Board and is eligible for re-election. 3. In accordance with Article 76 of the Articles of Association of the Company, Mr Sidney Cabessa retires as a Director by rotation from the Board and is eligible for re-election. 4. In accordance with Article 76 of the Articles of Association of the Company, Mr John Radziwill retires as a Director from the Board and is eligible for re-election. 5. To consider that RSM Robson Rhodes (Guernsey) Limited be appointed as Auditors of the Company until the conclusion of the next General Meeting of the Company at which Accounts are laid before the Members and to authorise the Directors to determine the remuneration of the Auditors. 6. To allow the Directors to make market purchases of Ordinary Shares. For Against Withheld Special Resolutions In accordance with Article 143(1), that the Company be wound up. (The Board recommends that Shareholders vote against this resolution). 7. Signed :__________________ Name in Capitals :_____________________ Date: Notes: 1. 2. 3. 4. In the case of a joint holdings the signature of any holder is sufficent but the vote of the senior holder who tenders a vote (whether in person or by proxy) shall be excepted to the exclusion of the other joint holders; for this purpose seniority shall be determined by the order in which the names stand in the register of members. If you wish to appoint a proxy other than the Chairman/Secretary you should delete the words “the Chairman of the Meeting or Secretary”, insert your own choice in the space provided and initial the amendment. A proxy need not be a member of the Company. Please indicate by marking “X” in the appropiate space how you wish your votes to be cast. Unless so instructed by the proxy will or abstain as he/she thinks fit. The instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing under the hand of the appointor or of his attorney duly authorised in writing or if the appointor is a corporation either under the common seal or under the hand of an officer or attorney so authorised and need not be witnessed. Upon completion please return this Form of Proxy to the following address to arrive no later than 48 hours before the scheduled start of the meeting:- ✂ Licence Number MB122, Capita Registrars, Proxies Department, PO Box 25, BECKENHAM, Kent, BR3 4BR Produced by The Partnership