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Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Unlocking the value of the curated
secondary goods market
www.auctiontechnologygroup.com
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
02
Key Highlights
04
At a Glance
06
Our History
08
Chair’s Statement
09
Investment Case
10
Chief Executive Officer’s Statement
13
What sold at auction in FY24
16
Our Market Opportunity
20
Business Model
22
Strategic Vision
23
Six Strategic Growth Drivers
28
Key Performance Indicators
30
Chief Financial Officer’s Review
35
Risk Management
37
Principal Risks and Uncertainties
41
Viability Statement
43
Stakeholder Engagement and s172
50
Sustainability Report
79
Chair’s Introduction
81
Governance Report
90
Board of Directors
93
Audit Committee Report
102
Nomination Committee Report
107
Remuneration Committee Report
126
Directors’ Report
131
Directors’ Responsibilities
132
Independent Auditor’s Report
141
Consolidated Statement of Profit or
Loss and Other Comprehensive
Income or Loss
142
Consolidated Statement
of Financial Position
143
Consolidated Statement
of Changes in Equity
144
Consolidated Statement
of Cash Flows
145
Notes to the Consolidated
Financial Statements
179
Company Statement
of Financial Position
180
Company Statement
of Changes in Equity
181
Notes to the Company
Financial Statements
184
Glossary
185
Shareholder Information
Find out more:
auctiontechnologygroup.com
Our purpose:
Unlocking the
value of the
curated secondary
goods market
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
ATG seamlessly connects
bidders from
over 170 countries with 3,900
auction houses.
In FY24 ATG helped facilitate the sale of 24 million
curated used items, worth over $13bn, hosting
in excess of 88,000
online auctions and
promoting a channel of sustainable commerce.
ATG is leading the transformation of the auction
industry. Leveraging proprietary auction technology,
our marketplaces offer buyers access to a wide range
of unique and specialised items, whilst also enabling
auctioneers to reach the largest pool of global online
bidders in a cost-efficient way.
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
01
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Financial highlights
Operational & strategic highlights
Key Highlights
Revenue
$174.2
m
Profit before tax
$18.4
m
Adjusted diluted earnings per share
1
38.6
c
Adjusted EBITDA
1
$80.0
m
Adjusted free cash flow conversion
1
82.0
%
Basic earnings/(loss) per share
19.7
c
Gross Merchandise Value (“GMV”)
$3.6
bn
Total Hammer Value (“THV”)
$13.2
bn
The Group provides alternative performance measures (“APMs”) which are not defined or specified under the requirements of
UK-adopted International Accounting Standards. We believe these APMs provide readers with important additional information
on our business and aid comparability. We have included a comprehensive list of the APMs in note 3 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements, with definitions, an explanation of how they are calculated, why we use them and how they can be reconciled to a
statutory measure where relevant.
The Group has made certain acquisitions that have affected the comparability of the Group’s results. To aid comparisons
between FY24 and FY23, organic revenue has been presented to exclude the acquisition of EstateSales.NET on 6 February 2023.
Organic revenue is shown on a constant currency basis using average exchange rates for the current financial period applied to
the comparative period and is used to eliminate the effects of fluctuations in assessing performance.
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
02
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
FY24
FY23
FY22
$174.2m
$165.9m
$151.8m
FY24
FY23
FY22
$80.0m
$78.4m
$68.7m
FY24
FY23
FY22
82.0%
78.0%
92.5%
FY24
FY23
FY22
38.6c
39.8c
37.8c
FY24
FY23
FY22
$18.4m
$8.7m
$12.6m
FY24
FY23
FY22
19.7c
16.8c
(4.6)c
Key Highlights
continued
+9
%
GMV uplift
Total tonnes carbon saved versus
manufacturing of new for 15 popular
items on our marketplaces
+35
%
4.2
%
– atgAMP: auctioneer marketing programme
– atgPay: integrated payments solution
– atgShip: integrated shipping solution
atgXL
Roll out of a unique product that enables seamless
cross-listing of auctions across ATG-marketplaces
and atg white label. +9% GMV uplift on auctions
cross-listed on ESN.
Successful integration of ESN has
added scale and opened up
auctions to a larger pool of
interested buyers
Value added services revenue
Take rate
Conversion rate
>2m
27
%
* Excluding ESN
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
03
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
FY24
FY23
FY22
4.2%
3.6%
3.3%
FY24
FY23
FY22
27%
31%
33%
Read more page 20
BIDDERS
COST SAVINGS
TECHNOLOGY
TRUST
CONVENIENCE
SELECTION
ART, ANTIQUES &
COLLECTABLES
COLLECTORS
CASUAL
BUSINESS
DEALERS
PROFESSIONALS
INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY,
CONSTRUCTION
& FARM EQUIPMENT
CONSUMER SURPLUS
& RETAIL RETURNS
AUCTION HOUSES
BIDDERS
V
I
R
T
U
O
U
S
C
I
R
C
L
E
V
I
R
T
U
O
U
S
C
I
R
C
L
E
B
U
Y
A
G
G
R
E
G
A
T
E
S
E
L
L
D
I
S
C
O
V
E
R
6
4
2
5
3
1
ATG offices
1. London (HQ)
2. Hamburg
3. New York
4. Lehi
5. Jackson
6. Mexico
North America
Europe
Our markets – by revenue split
82%
18%
At a Glance
What we do
ATG enables bidders from around the world
to access an underexplored world of unique
secondary goods, which have been curated by
around 3,900 auctioneers and just under 5,000
estate sellers.
By aggregating the widest selection of auction
items, we provide bidders with unrivalled
choice, convenience and trust in buying.
For auctioneers, we provide access to a large
pool of global bidders and to market-leading
technology, as well as enabling them to run
their businesses more efficiently.
How we do it
ATG powers eight online marketplaces and
listing sites using our proprietary auction
platform technology, hosting in excess of
88,000 live and timed auctions each year.
We operate across two sectors, Industrial &
Commercial (“I&C”) and Arts & Antiques (“A&A”).
ATG has supported the auction industry since
1971. We attract bidders from 178 countries with
our marketplaces located in North America,
UK and Germany.
Our virtuous circle benefits
both auctioneers and
bidders; more bidders
participating in online
auctions results in higher
realised prices for second-
hand items and in turn
attracts more assets to be
listed on our marketplaces.
ATG is the operator of
world-leading marketplaces
and auction services for
curated online auctions.
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
04
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Read more page 20
Read more page 16
Read more page 50
ATG in numbers
Arts & Antiques (“A&A”)
Industrial & Commercial (“I&C”)
At a Glance
continued
Our approach to sustainability
Sustainability is at the heart of ATG with our
purpose to facilitate the circular economy
encompassing our strategic approach. Our
online auction marketplaces ensure that
millions of pre-owned items are resold to
new buyers, extending their value within the
economy, preventing waste, and omitting the
need for carbon-intensive manufacturing of
new items.
Whilst the prospect of buying second-hand
can leave some consumers concerned about
authenticity or reliability, ATG marketplaces
offer consumers trust and confidence, with all
items for sale on our marketplaces having been
curated by expert auctioneers.
We continuously invest in our technology and
product offering to improve the online auction
experience and make it even easier for even
more consumers to discover and buy unique
used items.
ATG is committed to operating a responsible
business, where we strive to minimise our own
environmental impact, where all our employees
can reach their full potential, and where we
operate responsibly and ethically within a strong
governance framework.
Web sessions
390m
Countries
178
Auction
houses
3,900
Lots sold
online
7.2m
Auctions
facilitated
88,000
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
05
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
1971
1998
2006
2007
2010
2013
2018
Our History
1971
Antiques Trade
Gazette is founded.
1998
ATG begins
listing auction
calendars online.
2010
ATG partners with
BidSpotter.com in
North America to launch
a service for insolvency
auctioneers in the UK.
2006
First live bidding for
Arts & Antiques
auctions on
thesaleroom.com.
2007
i-bidder is launched
to cater to consumer
surplus & retail
returns auctions.
2013
Acquisition of BidSpotter.com,
expanding our reach for Industrial
& Commercial auctions.
2018
Acquisition of Lot-tissimo,
the leading Arts & Antiques
marketplace in Germany.
2013
Global Auction Platform
(“GAP”) is launched, a
comprehensive cloud-based
auction management SaaS.
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
06
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
2020
2021
2023
2020
Acquisition of Auction
Mobility, a US-based
provider of customised
auction software,
website design and
e-commerce solutions
for auctioneers.
2023
Acquisition of ESN, a
leading platform to
facilitate estate sales
across North America.
2023
Roll out of atgShip,
ATG’s integrated
shipping solution.
2023/24
Roll out of atgXL, our
unique cross-listing
product.
2021
Launch of
atgPay, ATG’s
integrated
payments
solution.
2020
ATG and Proxibid
merge under ATG
management.
2021
Acquisition of LiveAuctioneers
in October 2021, extending ATG’s
offering into the North America
Arts & Antiques market.
2021
Listing on the London
Stock Exchange.
Our History
continued
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
07
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
It is my pleasure to present ATG’s results for
the year ended 30 September 2024.
At the outset, I would like to thank Breon
Corcoran for guiding the business as Board
Chair during its formative period as a listed
company since the February 2021 IPO. Breon
resigned on 12 August 2024, seven months after
commencing a plc CEO role and we wish him
the best of luck in this role.
As you would expect, the ATG Nomination
Committee had developed a robust succession
plan and a search process led by a prominent
Board recruiting firm that ultimately resulted in
my transition from ATG’s Senior Independent
Director to Chair. Key to the Committee’s
consideration were my nearly 40 years of
cumulative Board experience and 30 years of
cumulative Chair experience, substantially for
digital marketplace businesses in the United
Kingdom and North America, as well as my
knowledge of ATG and management from
active engagement on the Board. I look forward
to working with more shareholders over time.
Strategic highlights
In FY24, ATG delivered 5% revenue growth
underpinned by progress against our strategic
growth drivers. In particular, we have seen
promising contributions from the introduction
and expansion of value-added services, a
valuable revenue driver and prime contributor
to a 0.6ppt improvement in the Group’s take
rate in the year to 4.2%. Value-added services
are fundamental for improving revenue for
auctioneers, enhancing the online auction
experience for bidders, growing net auctioneer
customers and increasing ATG’s average
revenue per transaction. As with other
two-sided marketplaces, augmenting revenue
per transaction is especially important during
periods when the underlying customer markets
are challenging, as they were for our A&A and
I&C auctioneers for much of the last year.
The Board is pleased with the initial successes
following our recent launch of atgXL, our
cross-listing product that further differentiates
ATG’s proposition for both auctioneers and
bidders, and enhances our competitive
positioning. ESN has delivered a very strong
performance in its first full year as part of ATG,
extending our auctioneer and bidder reach to
the lower-priced second-hand goods segment,
and further validating ATG’s strong track record
in integrating and executing value-enhancing
M&A opportunities.
You can read more about ATG’s progress
against all its strategic growth drivers and our
future priorities on pages 22 to 27 of this report.
On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank all
the team at ATG for their continued focus and
hard work over the year.
Financial performance
ATG is underpinned by a resilient, profitable
and cash-generative business model. In FY24,
revenues increased 5% year-on-year to $174.2m,
driven by strong growth in value-added services
revenue as well as a strong contribution from
ESN, which was acquired in the prior year.
Adjusted EBITDA increased 2% to $80.0m,
benefiting from revenue growth, although also
impacted by revenue mix.
Adjusted earnings per share was 38.6c compared
to 39.8c in FY23, after the impact of higher tax
costs year-on-year, and basic earnings per share
was 19.7c (FY23: 16.8c).
The Group generated $71.6m of operating cash
flow (FY23: $70.7m) before expenditure on
technology and product investments which
included investments in our cross-listing
initiatives. After internal investment, capital
allocation priorities remained focused on
strengthening our balance sheet with the
Group’s adjusted net debt/adjusted EBITDA
ratio decreasing significantly over the year from
1.8x at FY23 to 1.4x at FY24. The Board does not
currently expect to declare or pay dividends in
this phase of our business lifecycle and will
continue to review the Company’s capital
allocation policy on an ongoing basis.
Board and governance
Audit Committee Chair Suzanne Baxter
replaced me as Senior Independent Director
following my Chair appointment. Suzanne has
over 18 years’ continuous experience as a UK
listed company director, including 11 as an
executive and 11 years in a non-executive
capacity. Tamsin Todd replaced me as
Remuneration Chair and, as recently
announced, Andrew Miller was appointed to
the Board on 21 November 2024 and replaced
me on the Audit Committee. Andrew has strong
leadership, finance and digital marketplace
experience based on his extensive experience
in both chief executive and chief financial officer
capacities. As a result of the above changes, the
Company has been compliant with the Code
post year end with respect to committee
leadership and Board composition after a brief
transition period following the Chair succession.
In line with strong governance practice, the
Board undertook an externally facilitated
review of our Board effectiveness. The review
concluded that the Board is highly effective
Chair’s Statement
Sco Forbes
Chair
“As with other two-sided
marketplaces, augmenting
revenue per transaction is
especially important during
periods when the
underlying customer
markets are challenging.”
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
08
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Read more page 16
Read more page 20
Read more page 30
Read more page 17
Read more page 22
Read more page 90
enue
135.2
m
$1
$119.8
$70.1m
and as part of its succession planning, in
particular for the Audit Committee, to appoint
an additional Non-Executive Director, which
we are pleased to have now completed
following the appointment of Andrew. You can
read the full results of this review as well as
the action points for us to consider on page 84
of this report.
Sustainability at ATG
ATG’s purpose is to unlock the value of the
curated secondary goods market. In FY24,
our marketplaces helped facilitate the sale
of almost 24m unique second-hand items,
extending their lives, preventing waste and
thereby accelerating growth in the circular
economy. The Board has also been pleased
with the progress the Group has made against
its own sustainability strategy, as detailed in
the Sustainability Report on pages 50 to 77.
This report includes our plan to transition to
Net Zero by 2040, including progress made in
FY24 with a 35% reduction in Scope 1 and
Scope 2 emissions. We were also delighted to
be included in the FTSE4GOOD Index for the
second consecutive year, acknowledging our
strong sustainability practices.
Looking ahead
As I look out to the longer term, ATG remains
well positioned to provide value and an
improved experience for auctioneers and
consumers operating in the A&A as well as I&C
sectors. We believe that our endeavours will
drive long-term growth and create sustainable
value for all our stakeholders.
Sco Forbes
Chair
26 November 2024
Chair’s Statement
continued
Six reasons to invest in ATG
Unparalleled
competitive position
A large and growing market,
shiſting online and facilitating
the circular economy
Scalable platform model
with proprietary auction
technology
Aractive, diversified
and resilient financial
model
Six strategic growth drivers providing
multiple levers for growth
Experienced management team
with a strong track record
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
09
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Overview
ATG is executing against an online marketplace
strategy that focuses on the development of
core capabilities in order to accelerate the
marketplace flywheel. Over the past eight years,
we have built and acquired technology platforms
that have enabled us to grow our extensive
auctioneer and bidder base, and drive volume
through our marketplaces. In the last two years,
we have begun to further monetise each online
auction transaction by offering premium
solutions for both auctioneers and bidders
including value-added services, such as atgAMP
(marketing), atgPay (payments) and atgShip
(shipping). We remain focused on bringing the
overall quality of our auction experience up to
global e-commerce standards which will drive
continued value for auctioneers and bidders alike.
In FY24, we extended beyond the core
transaction to drive network effects across our
marketplaces substantially through the launch
of our cross-listing solution, atgXL, which
enables an auctioneer to simultaneously run a
timed auction across multiple ATG marketplaces
and an atg white label. This past financial year
presented challenges too including soft A&A
markets, the impact of the Proxibid rate card
standardisation and I&C asset price deflation,
before more recent normalisation. Nevertheless,
our steadfast focus and progress against these
strategic programmes was undaunted and we
were able to deliver solid growth.
Our strong financial model, EBITDA margins
and cash generation underpinned significant
balance sheet deleveraging with our net debt
to adjusted EBITDA leverage ratio at year-end
improving to 1.4x. Furthermore, the improved
momentum of GMV in the second half,
especially for the I&C sector, as well as
our exposure to the North America market,
accounting for over 80% of revenues,
portends well for the year ahead.
I was delighted to welcome Scott Forbes to
the role of Chair of ATG in August following the
resignation of Breon Corcoran six months after
his CEO appointment at IG Group Holdings plc.
I am grateful for Breon’s contributions from IPO
through his departure and have also been
fortunate to benefit from Scott’s considerable
digital marketplace experience including over
forty cumulative years as board director and
chair. Following the announcement in October
2024 that Tom Hargreaves will be leaving ATG,
I would also like to personally thank Tom for his
partnership and contributions as CFO over the
last eight years, and to wish him the best in the
next phase of his career.
1. Expand the total
addressable market
The trust of our auctioneers and bidders is built
on the value we deliver to them. Auctioneer
loyalty remained strong in FY24, with retention
of auctioneers in GMV terms at 98%, and with
around 4,000 auctioneers on our sites at
year-end. Auctioneer retention reflects the
value ATG delivers through increasing the
number of bidders, with ATG on average
providing 56% of all bids placed in auctions
(hosted on ATG marketplaces) and 40% of GMV
coming from bidders who were new to the
auction house. Volumes of auctions remained
robust in FY24. We facilitated over 88,000
auctions and listed 23.8 million lots, up 2% and
7%, respectively year-on-year. Bidding sessions
across our sites including ESN grew 16% to over
390 million highlighting the structural trend
towards making sustainable purchases, with
1.6 million new account registrations, up 3%.
Against this positive volume backdrop, Total
Hammer Value (“THV”) across the Group was
broadly flat year-on-year at $13.2bn, or up 2%
excluding the impact of the planned rotated
volume, which had high service requirements
Chief Executive Officer’s Statement
John-Paul Savant
Chief Executive Officer
but minimal revenue contribution as described
in our FY23 results. There were also some
headwinds from pricing in both markets and
a negative mix impact due to fewer sales of
higher priced items. THV was further affected
by the mix of assets listed on our marketplaces,
including an increase in A&A items from
auctioneers outside our core geographies
(North America, UK and Germany) and a
decrease in real estate auctions in I&C, both
of which tend to be volatile in nature. However,
the diversity in the range of assets we sell, in
addition to the relatively lower-priced points
versus some parts of the auction market,
provided resilience. Furthermore, prices in I&C
used assets stabilised in the second half of the
year with THV delivering positive growth in the
second half.
2. Grow the conversion rate
The headline conversion rate of 27% for FY24,
down 4ppt, was impacted both by asset
category mix on our marketplaces as well as
the Proxibid rate card standardisation. In A&A,
a flat conversion rate for THV from our core
geographies, which drives the vast majority of
our A&A revenue, was masked by the growth
in other THV, which has a significantly lower
conversion rate whilst also being inherently
volatile. A similar impact from asset mix was
seen in I&C, including from the decline in real
estate auctions which tend to be run as
Revenue
$174.2m
Adjusted EBITDA
$80.0m
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
10
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
ATG delivered another year
of growth and continued
to execute well against its
strategic initiatives.
in our search function to help improve the
experience for bidders, particularly for those
who are new to auction. We are encouraged
by the initial signs of our investments and are
accelerating our investments in some areas,
although we acknowledge that it will take time
for our initiatives to have the full impact on
increasing the conversion rate.
3. Enhance the network effect
Over FY24, ATG made good progress to drive
the network effect across our marketplaces
and white label. We launched atgXL, which
enables an auctioneer to have a single upload
of inventory to our system, to then push that
inventory to multiple ATG marketplaces as well
as to an atg white label, and to have a single
place to manage bids for an online-only timed
auction. Using atgXL, auctioneers save up to
66% of their time by only uploading the
catalogue once, whilst also benefiting from
paying a single event fee, even with the auction
hosted on multiple ATG marketplaces. Bidders
also have access to a greater selection of
inventory without needing to hunt across
multiple sites. In FY25, we aim to develop
and roll out atgXL for live auctions.
Towards the end of the year, we also launched
the ATG Partner Network, which enables
auctioneers to cross-list their auction on four
third party partner listing-only sites that also
specialise in I&C used asset sales. The partner
sites we are working with are all high traffic
classified sites, offering the potential for our
auctioneers to unlock significantly more
bidders and providing ATG with a source of
one-way traffic. Whilst the programme is in
early stages, we have seen some encouraging
initial results and we are looking to develop a
Partner Network for our A&A marketplaces.
4. Grow the take rate via
value-added services
We have continued to execute strongly
against the roll out of value-added services,
with revenue from atgAMP, atgShip and atgPay
collectively growing 35% year-on-year and
now accounting for 24% of Group revenue.
This growth has contributed to the Group
take rate increasing by 0.6ppt to 4.2%. 31% of
auction events were supported by atgAMP in
FY24 (FY23: 27%), with auctioneers attracted
to the high return on investment that our
marketing products offer as well as new
features such as new dynamic ad units. 61% of
US Gross Transaction Value on LiveAuctioneers
was processed through atgPay in FY24 with
96% of US based auction houses on
LiveAuctioneers now onboarded to atgPay.
atgShip, our integrated delivery solution, saw
strong adoption in its first year of launch with
shipping available on over 10% of inventory on
LiveAuctioneers in the second half. Importantly,
atgShip continues to have a positive impact on
bidding behaviour, with auctions featuring
atgShip seeing a 9% increase in bidding activity
and a 5% GMV uplift on average. We continue
to see strong growth opportunities for all three
services in FY25, including through driving
penetration of marketing on I&C platforms
and continuing to drive the adoption of
shipping on LiveAuctioneers.
an online-only timed format with a 100%
conversion rate, yet a minimal commission
impact. However, the underlying conversion
rate for many I&C asset categories improved in
the second half, once the impact from the rate
card standardisation was lapped.
ATG is investing to further strengthen its
leading competitive position, by making it
easier for auctioneers to use a range of
channels to access the online market through
the launch of our marketplace integrated white
label solution. We estimate that white label
penetration amongst our auctioneers is already
high, with around 60% of A&A and around 80%
of I&C in GMV terms having either an ATG or an
independent white label solution. We estimate
that the winning bids for 20-25% of A&A THV
and I&C THV currently go through an
independent white label solution. The
opportunity for ATG is therefore to win share
from the independent white label providers,
with our new integrated product offering
auctioneers a superior solution through
providing the ability to run an online-only timed
auction on an ATG marketplace concurrently
with an atg white label. We have already
achieved over a 20% penetration of our
integrated white label solution in Proxibid I&C
GMV, representing an almost $40m additional
GMV opportunity. At the same time, we made
the strategic decision to refocus away from
pursuing smaller low margin customers who
are using our stand-alone only white label
solution and have a low life-time value, whilst
focusing on the majority of revenue in Auction
Services which comes from larger auctioneers
who have bespoke white label solutions but
also use our marketplaces.
We are also investing to improve the user
experience by making it even easier for buyers
to buy on an ATG marketplace and drive our
conversion rate. This includes through investing
Chief Executive Officer’s Statement
continued
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Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Chief Executive Officer’s Statement
continued
LiveAuctioneers were cross-listed on
EstateSales.NET, with buyers originating
from ESN driving on average a 9% uplift on
the auctions in which they participate. We have
also begun to incentivise ESN sellers to switch
to use an ATG marketplace as their platform of
choice if and when they host auctions of higher
value items selected from their estate sales.
We are pleased with the initial response from
estate sellers.
Summary
ATG delivered another year of growth and
continued to execute well against its strategic
initiatives. Much progress was made with
product and platform development this past
year. Our cash-generative model allows us to
further fortify our platform in FY25 as we
increase auctioneer reach to an expanded set
of even more bidders who are better positioned
than ever to discover and bid on the widest
range of unique secondary market merchandise
and contribute significantly to the efficacy of
the circular economy. Our cash-generative
model also enabled us to significantly reduce
balance sheet leverage, whilst our strong
market position, diversified revenue base
and resilient shared success business model
positions us to continue to deliver significant
value for all our stakeholders. I would like
to thank all of our shareholders, bidders,
auctioneers and especially our 400 employees
who make our success possible.
John-Paul Savant
Chief Executive Officer
26 November 2024
5. Expand operational leverage
In FY24, ATG has continued to drive efficiencies
through improvements to our hub and spoke
operating model and the modernisation of
our platforms. This included through the
reorganisation of our North America product
and marketing teams, welcoming a new Chief
Product Officer to ATG, as well as through
the consolidation of our financial and people
related back-office systems. We also
established a tech hub in Mexico which
has enabled us to quickly add high-quality
engineers in a cost-effective way and we
have made good progress on our technology
consolidation programme, with a focus on
the development of atgXL, as well as on the
integration of the Proxibid technology stack.
We also now have a unified data warehouse
providing a single comprehensive view of all our
data, thereby enabling us to improve analytics
and support more efficient decision-making,
including through the application of AI.
6. Pursue accretive M&A
The acquisition of ESN has highlighted
ATG’s ability to find, acquire and integrate
value-accretive businesses. ESN’s revenue
grew 24% year-on-year in FY24, primarily driven
by improvements in the subscription funnel
for estate sellers, refinements to pricing,
advertising growth and strong execution by
the ESN team. The acquisition has also
demonstrated that people ready to buy arts
and antiques at auction are not just those
who are traditionally buying, but also a much
broader pool of buyers who are buying through
other channels in the secondary goods market.
Through enabling cross-listing on ESN,
auctioneers on LiveAuctioneers have been able
to tap into a complementary yet separate pool
of potential bidders with strong initial results;
in the second half of FY24, 49% of auctions on
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Annual Report 2024
00
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
We facilitated the sale of almost
24 million curated used items in FY24.
Here are some of the more unusual
examples we have seen sold across
our sites over the last year.
What sold
at auction
in FY24
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Case study
Movie memorabilia
In November 2023, an auction of movie
memorabilia included the costume of
Captain Hector Barbossa from Pirates
of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007).
The original estimate for the costume was
£30,000-60,000 with the lot selling to a
bidder on thesaleroom.com for £90,000.
Case study
Sporting heroes
Sport memorabilia is a popular category at
auction, providing buyers with a convenient
method of filling gaps in their collection
or acquiring items from players, clubs or
matches with which they have a strong
affinity. In an auction in October 2023, a
bidder on thesaleroom.com paid £11,000 for
a Bobby Charlton Manchester United match
worn shirt, c.1970, with an original estimate
of £6,000-7,000.
£11,000
Sold for
£90,000
Sold for
Case study
“Fastest machine
in the world”
Some of the most desirable typewriters in
the collecting field were offered on auction
in March 2024. Dating from c.1890-1905,
only a few units of this particular model
from Joseph Hassel Jackson’s Typewriter
Company of Boston were made, making
it one of the rarest typewriters in the
collecting hobby. This typewriter did not
experience much in the way of commercial
success at the time, even if it was promoted
as the “fastest machine in the world”. The
lot was estimated at €15,000-20,000 and
took €22,000 from an online bidder using
LiveAuctioneers.
What sold at auction in FY24
continued
€22,000
Sold for
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Annual Report 2024
Case study
John Deere tractor
This John Deere tractor sold for US$190,000
in August 2024 to a buyer on BidSpotter.com
at an auction held in Ohio.
Case study
All child’s play
This soft play adventure area was purchased
on i-bidder.com for £1,900 at an auction
held in April 2024. The large area totalled
three levels and included a 6m exit slide.
Case study
Chocolate Santa and
the Easter Bunny
Chocolate moulds do not get much better than the
two ‘showpiece’ models offered for sale at Leonard
Auction in March 2024. Both measuring a massive
3ft 2in high, the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus
pressed steel moulds were made by Anton Reiche
for creating chocolates for seasonal window
display. Many times the size of a standard model,
they made outsize prices too – estimated at
$500-700 each Santa Claus hammered for $15,000
and the Easter Bunny for $11,000 to online bidders
via the LiveAuctioneers website.
Case study
Diving helmet
resurfaces
Nation’s Attic in Wichita, Kansas, is the
leading US auction house for vintage
diving equipment. This helmet carries
no identifying marks but dates from
the 1860s or 1870s. The skilful soldering
of copper and the use of convex glass
suggests it was the creation of diving
pioneer John Date in Montreal or possibly
the Siebe Gorman firm in London. When
the lot came up for bidding in December
2023, it immediately jumped above its
$10,000-20,000 estimate and kept climbing
until it hammered at $45,000 to a bidder
using LiveAuctioneers.
Case study
Cylindrical grinder
This Okuma GP-57N CNC cylindrical grinder
sold for US$225,000 in June 2024 to a buyer
on BidSpotter.com at an auction held in
Jefferson, Indiana. The machine is used to
grind parts with high accuracy and stability for
a variety of different end market applications.
What sold at auction in FY24
continued
$190,000
Sold for
$225,000
Sold for
$45,000
Sold for
£1,900
Sold for
$26,000
Sold for
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Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Addressable market
(US$bn)
Addressable market
(US$bn)
ATG share
ATG share
of mid-market A&A THV
is listed on ATG
of mid-market I&C THV
is listed on ATG
~45%
~40%
$60bn
$13bn
$5.7bn
Second-hand A&A market
Auction mid-market
excluding Big4 and
eBay
ATG FY24 THV
$7.5bn
$92bn
$19bn
Second-hand I&C market
Grey, green and yellow
iron2 and transport
auction market
ATG FY24 THV
1. Management estimates April 24.
2. Grey, green and yellow iron refers to general industrial equipment, agricultural equipment and construction equipment
of the core auction market
is
listed online
c.90%
of the core auction market
is
transacted online
c.50%
Our addressable market1
Our Market Opportunity
Arts & Antiques (“A&A”)
Industrial & Commercial (“I&C”)
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Further Information
Global scale
Multi-vertical,
multi-geography
End-to-end solution
Tech-enabled
modern architecture
White label offering
Wide bidder reach
Best-in-class
bidder experience
Other
marketplaces
Large
auctioneers
Small and mid-
sized auctioneers
Circles represent an estimate by ATG management of the capabilities offered by different auction channels
with a fully shaded circle indicating full capabilities and an unshaded circle representing no capability.
Pre-COVID
A highly fragmented market
with traditional auctioneers
starting to adopt online
auction format.
COVID
The pandemic disruption
caused an acceleration
of online format adoption
welcomed equally by the
auctioneers and the bidders.
Post-COVID unwinding
With the reopening of in-person
events, the impact of COVID
partially unwound, with some
return to physical bidding as well
as impacts to used asset pricing.
New normal
Return of shift towards buying online
with new value-added services
attracting wider pool of sellers and
buyers to online auctions.
Our market position
ATG has a global presence, serving the I&C and
A&A auction industry in North America, the UK
and Europe. Our market is highly fragmented
with multiple channels to market including via
physical auctions, auctioneer white label sites,
aggregator auction marketplaces or even “direct
from seller” models. Whilst our competitors
are investing to improve and broaden their
proposition, the breadth of ATG’s bidder base
with over 390m web sessions hosted in FY24,
as well as the deep relationships with 3,900
auctioneers who use our platforms, provide a
scale advantage in the online auction space.
As an established and scaled marketplace, our
cost to acquire new bidders is very low and
our virtuous circle enables us to develop and
improve our proposition at an increasing rate.
Our Market Opportunity
continued
Online auction market evolution
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Annual Report 2024
A&A THV by domestic and
international
1 auctioneers
FY24
FY23
Other geographies
Core geographies
$5.7bn
$5.6bn
I&C THV breaking out
real estate
FY24
FY23
Real estate
All other
$7.5bn
$7.6bn
Our Market Opportunity
continued
Trends in our market in FY24
Following the strong growth of our markets
from FY20 to FY23, in FY24 there was several
dampening effects which resulted in THV being
broadly flat year-on-year at $13.2bn. This was
largely driven by headwinds from pricing in
both markets and a negative mix impact due
to fewer sales of higher priced items. In I&C,
pricing trends were the result of the
normalisation in asset prices following the
temporary surge in the prices of second-hand
industrial equipment in late FY22 and early
FY23, where as in A&A, a slower consumer
environment has dampened demand.
However, whilst prices have softened in both
the A&A and I&C markets, volumes brought
to our auctions have remained robust.
Furthermore, the diversity in the range
of assets we sell, as well as our relatively
lower-priced points versus some parts of the
auction market, provide us with resilience in
more challenging market backdrops.
THV was also impacted by a shifting mix
of assets listed on our marketplaces. This
included an increase in A&A items that were
listed from auctioneers located outside North
America, the UK and Germany (“other”). For I&C,
it also included a decrease in real estate
auctions, which tend to be volatile in nature.
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Annual Report 2024
ATG THV
1
FY22
FY23
FY24
FY21
FY20
A&A
I&C
$13.2bn
$13.2bn
$12.9bn
$10.7bn
$7.6bn
Auctions facilitated on
ATG marketplaces
FY23
FY22
85.9k
88.0k
74.2k
FY24
Lots listed on ATG marketplaces
FY23
FY24
FY22
22.3m
20.3m
23.8m
1. Refer to the Glossary for full definitions.
Our Market Opportunity
continued
How is ATG addressing the market opportunity?
Key trend
The rise in buying sustainably
Drivers of the trend
Buying a pre-loved item is always a sustainable choice
compared with buying newly manufactured goods, with the
antiques business being described as “the oldest recycling
industry in the world.”
A report by MPB and Retail Economics from August 2023
highlighted that 71% of consumers across the UK, North
America, France and Germany bought or sold used goods
in the past year with the re-commerce market forecast to
increase by 80% over the next five years.
The role we play
Through our eight online marketplaces, we enable second-hand
buyers to browse a wide range of unique secondary items.
We run social media campaigns to highlight the benefits of
buying sustainably, highlighting the “hidden treasures” on our
sites. Through atgXL, we have connected two adjacent pools of
secondary goods consumers enabling browsers of estate sale
items to also browse and bid on unique items available for sale
in the auction market.
ATG also has the opportunity to win share from the segment of
buyers who are currently via fixed-price listings, by making the
online auction experience even easier and even more accessible.
Stakeholder perspective
Web sessions on ATG
marketplaces has increased
by over 40% since FY21.
>40%
Key trend
The shift to buying at online auctions
Drivers of the trend
Long-term growth of online auctions has been driven by the
needs of both auctioneers and bidders. Auctioneers, along with
their consigners, value the wider bidder reach, as well as the
operational savings that come compared with hosting physical
auctions. Bidders value the ease of research, including the
discovery of a broader set of inventory and the increased price
transparency, the time and cost savings versus travelling to
in-person auctions (where, unlike other forms of commerce, they
may not be successful in acquiring their chosen items if they
underbid), even if the buying experience is not as easy as other
e-commerce channels.
The ultimate online penetration is likely to be very high, given
in-person auctions are costly for auctioneers to staff, and also
require bidders to invest substantial time with a low likelihood
of successfully securing the item of interest.
The role we play
As the operator of leading auction marketplaces and auction
services, ATG enables auctioneers to seamlessly host their
auctions online. Our proprietary technology platform ensures
security, reliability and stability for online auctions.
We are continually investing to improve the online bidder
experience and to remove the frictions in the buying and
selling experience, including with atgShip and atgPay.
Stakeholder perspective
ATG estimates that 50% of all
auctions are transacted online
today.
50%
Key trend
The growth in aggregator marketplaces
Drivers of the trend
The auctioneer landscape is fragmented and competitive.
Auctioneers need to secure consignors on the basis that the
auctioneer will efficiently secure the best price for the goods
in question by reaching the widest relevant bidder audience as
well as preventing items from selling well below “market price”
due to a poor valuation. Auction marketplaces address these
needs well, providing incremental bidders and enabling
an auctioneer to demonstrate to a consigner that they are
maximising potential sales.
Whilst white label adoption is also increasing, individual
auctioneers do not have the scale to offer a bidder experience
equivalent to a marketplace – including lacking the frequency
of auctions and number of lots – and hence find value in the
marketplaces’ reach even when they have their own online
auctions. Even the “Big 4” auctioneers in A&A, who have strong
brand names, continue to use ATG marketplaces to reach a
wider pool of bidders.
The role we play
With 4,000 auctioneers, over 390m bidding sessions and
almost 24m lots listed in FY24, ATG operates leading auction
marketplaces. Through atgXL we are starting to drive the
network effect across our marketplaces, providing auctioneers
with access to even more bidders in a seamless way.
Whilst white label adoption has been increasing, auctioneers
continue to use ATG’s marketplaces to list their assets in order
to maximise bidder reach. ATG’s role in white label is also
fundamental to securing further marketplace listings through
the direct integration of an atg white label to ATG marketplace.
Stakeholder perspective
THV on ATG marketplaces has
increased by >20% since FY21.
>20%
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Annual Report 2024
BIDDERS
AUCTION HOUSES
PAYMENTS
MARKETING
SHIPPING
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Our Business Model
Scale
ATG has a critical mass of buyers and sellers that
gives significant scale advantages and enables it
to drive a network effect. We partner with 3,900
auctioneers who listed almost 24m lots in FY24.
Attracted by the largest choice of inventory, we
hosted over 390m bidding sessions across all our
marketplaces and sites in FY24. The scale of
bidders and auctioneers creates a virtuous cycle
on our marketplaces.
Shared
success model
For over 50 years, ATG has worked in partnership
with the auction industry, with our own ambitions
aligned to those of our auctioneer partners. Our
deep customer relationships, as evidenced by our
consistently high retention rates, generate loyalty
and ensure sustainability of our business model.
Technology
and innovation
Our proprietary auction technology enables
auctioneers to efficiently access the online market.
We invest to offer auctioneers and bidders unique
and differentiated products. As a platform, we can
increase the volume of transactions through our
marketplaces at minimal additional cost.
Brands
Each of our marketplaces and listing sites are
leading brands in their respective vertical and
geography. Continued growth of our direct and
organic customer channels speaks to the strength
of our brand, which minimises the need to invest in
paid customer acquisition. ATG’s strong reputation
provides buyers with a high degree of trust when
buying second-hand.
Sustainability
Sustainability is at the heart of our business model
as we facilitate a channel of green commerce.
How we create value
The drivers that set our business apart
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Annual Report 2024
Read more page 43
Arts & Antiques (“A&A”)
Industrial & Commercial (“I&C”)
Read more page 16
Read more page 16
Our Business Model
continued
The value we create for stakeholders
Our markets
For our customers: auctioneers
We give access to technology they could not afford to
build themselves, we reduce costs by improving their
efficiency as they move increasingly online, and most
importantly, we help them achieve the highest asset
sale prices by maximising bidders on their items.
56%
% of bids placed on auctions
hosted on our marketplaces
that originated from ATG
(FY23: 56%)
For our consumers: bidders
We provide an unparalleled selection of unique and
specialised items, convenience to browse across
hundreds of auctions through a single interface and
registration, and unparalleled trust when buying a used
item due to the curation of every item by experts.
7
m
Lots sold
(FY23: 7m)
For our shareholders
We invest to drive long-term sustainable revenue,
cash flow and earnings growth.
$174.2
m
$80.0
m
Revenue
(FY23: $165.9m)
Adjusted EBITDA
(FY23 $78.4m)
For our people
We continue to evolve our culture to ensure that
our people can be at their best and have the
opportunity to develop a rewarding career at ATG.
67
%
Engagement score
(FY23: 76%)
For our suppliers and partners
We work collaboratively with our suppliers, creating
shared opportunities and ensuring fair and transparent
terms and conditions.
For the environment
We provide a channel of green commerce by facilitating
the sale of used goods whilst also minimising our own
environmental impact.
>2
m
Tonnes of carbon saved from
popular 15 items vs carbon
impact of buying new (FY23:
<3m). The decrease was
largely driven by lower sales
of gemstone rings
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Annual Report 2024
HORIZON 1
Foundation
Aggregate critical mass
• 390m visitor sessions
• 24m lots listed
• Moving to one platform
• Multiple shared services
HORIZON 1
HORIZON 2
HORIZON 3
FY24
HORIZON 2
E2E experience
Auctions to eCommerce Standards
• Connect our demand & supply
• Optimizing VAS (ship, pay, digital
marketing)
• Improve customer experience &
Search to continue to grow new
audience of potential buyers
HORIZON 3
Expansion
Transform auction Industry
• Monetize underbidder
• AI driven recommendations
• Extend auction ecosystem
• Multi-format buying/selling
• Unique data driven tools
Strategic Vision
Our strategic drivers
Our strategic vision is enabled by execution
against each of our six strategic drivers.
Our three horizons
ATG’s vision is to transform the auction
industry. This vision is underpinned by
three investment horizons. In FY24, we
continued to make good progress in our
second investment horizon, “End-to-End
experience”, where we are raising the
standard of buying online at auction to
retail eCommerce standards, removing the
frictions that are present when buying and
selling at auctions online.
Extend the total
addressable market
Grow ATG’s
conversion rate
Enhance the
network effect
Grow take rate via
value-added services
Expand operational
leverage
Pursue accretive M&A
Six Strategic Growth Drivers
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Case study
New business development
on our I&C marketplaces
ATG continues to actively grow its base of
auctioneers who use our marketplaces. It
remains a technology provider of choice with
auctioneers attracted to ATG’s large global
bidder base as well as its unique suite of
integrated products and services.
In FY24, Proxibid and Bidspotter added over
$350m in new THV, with a 12% increase in
revenue year-on-year from new auctioneers.
Many of these new customers took up
multiple services from ATG, including atgXL
atgAMP and atg white label, with some
auctioneers returning to Proxibid having
tried to go alone, but citing an inability
to maintain good prices without the
marketplace exposure.
Six Strategic Growth Drivers
continued
Existing auction houses listing more assets, as
well as new auction houses listing assets on
ATG marketplaces, will extend our immediately
addressable market. To grow beyond this, we
can expand into new verticals and channels
within the secondary goods market.
Relevant KPIs
Revenue
THV
Associated risks
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 9
as further detailed on page 37
Extend the total
addressable
market
Our progress in FY24
THV was flat year-on-year at $13.2bn partly
impacted by asset prices in both sectors
with the number of auctions increasing 2%
year-on-year to 88,000 and the number of
lots listed growing 7% to 23.8m.
Auctioneer retention remained very high
with auctioneers on ATG stable at 3,900.
Roll out of cross-listing between ESN and
ATG’s complementary, yet largely distinct,
buyer bases.
Roll out of atgShip and atgPay as ATG
monetised more of the auction transaction.
Our opportunities for FY25 and beyond
Improve the user experience, including
through atgPay and atgShip, to attract a
wider pool of buyers to the online auction
channel.
Actively target new auction houses,
verticals and assets to list on our
marketplaces.
Continue to drive cross-buying across ATG’s
marketplaces and our affiliate network.
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Corporate Governance
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Further Information
23
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Six Strategic Growth Drivers
continued
Case study
Growing the adoption
of timed auctions
ATG is investing in differentiated products
and services that meet both auctioneers’
and bidders’ demands. For auctioneers, this
includes the ability to access the largest
possible number of bidders as easily as
possible, whilst also protecting their own
brand. In FY24, we launched our integrated
white label solution, which enables an
auctioneer to seamlessly run timed auctions
across an atg white label and an ATG
marketplace. As an integrated solution, an
auctioneer can save up to 66% of their time
by only uploading their auction catalogue
once, whilst also saving an auctioneer
ATG’s conversion rate is a function of how often
it provides the winning bidder. On the auctioneer
side, we are incentivising auctioneers to switch
to the timed auction format, where ATG has
a 100% conversion rate, through rolling out
atgXL. On the bidder side, we are enhancing
the end-to-end user experience to drive bidder
acquisition, engagement and conversion.
Relevant KPIs
Revenue
Conversion rate
Associated risks
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 9
as further detailed on page 37
money by not needing additional live clerks
to manage a live auction, with automatic
updates to auctions appearing across all
sites. Within the I&C segment of Proxibid,
we currently have over a 20% penetration
in GMV terms for our white label solution.
As one auctioneer commented: “We found
significant cost savings in the Timed
format vs Live and due to the multi-
marketplace exposure and competitive
bidding environment between BidSpotter
and Proxibid, we found our asset prices
to be really strong.”
Grow ATG’s
conversion rate
Our progress in FY24
Conversion rate decreased 4ppt to 27%
impacted by mix of assets listed on our
marketplaces, including a higher
percentage of assets in A&A from
auctioneers located outside North America
and Europe and a decrease in real estate
on I&C, and the impact of the Proxibid rate
card changes in FY23.
Development and roll out of atgXL and our
integrated white label solution.
Updated pricing structure on
LiveAuctioneers and thesaleroom to
incentivise the adoption of timed auctions.
Our opportunities for FY25 and beyond
Actively encourage adoption of ATG white
label and atgXL, and make it even simpler
for auctioneers to use atgXL.
Provide price and product incentives to
shift to timed auctions.
Continue to grow the adoption of
value-added services.
Invest to make it even easier to bid on our
marketplaces and grow the percentage of
lots on ATG sites that are bid on.
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Further Information
24
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
By enabling auctioneers to cross-list on multiple
ATG marketplaces, an atg white label and
more recently affiliate partner sites, auction
houses can access an even wider pool of
bidders. Meanwhile, bidders can easily browse
a wider range of curated used items. More
inventory that attracts more bidders further
enhances ATG’s flywheel and enables us to cost
effectively acquire even more inventory and
bidders without incurring additional cost.
Relevant KPIs
THV
Conversion rate
GMV
Revenue
Associated risks
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 9
as further detailed on page 37
Case study
atgXL across marketplaces
In FY24, ATG made great progress to drive
differentiated value from our network of
marketplaces through the roll out of atgXL
and the ATG Partner Network. atgXL enables
an auctioneer to have a single upload of
inventory to an ATG marketplace or atg white
label and then to expose that inventory across
other ATG marketplaces whilst managing bids
and the auction in a single place.
The ATG Partner Network allows an
auctioneer to reach further bidders across
our four partner sites. Cross-listing also
provides bidders with access to more
choice, without needing to hunt across
various sites.
Whilst the programmes are early in their
roll out, we have been pleased with the
initial results.
Six Strategic Growth Drivers
continued
Enhance the
network effect
Our progress in FY24
Successful roll out of atgXL, enabling
cross-listing of timed auctions across
marketplaces and white label.
Successful launch of cross-listing between
ESN and LiveAuctioneers.
Launch of ATG Partner Network, with four
additional sites available for auctioneers to
cross-list on.
Our opportunities for FY25 and beyond
Continue to drive adoption of atgXL across
marketplaces and atg white label.
Develop cross-listing solution for live
auctions.
Strategic Report
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Further Information
25
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Our progress in FY24
Established a cost-efficient technology hub
in Mexico.
Invested in and progressed with
consolidation of Proxibid into GAP
technology platform.
Reorganised product and marketing teams
under new leadership.
Our opportunities for FY25 and beyond
Continue to consolidate Proxibid
technology stack into GAP technology
stack to provide agility and flexibility.
Expand operational
leverage
Grow take rate via
value-added services
Six Strategic Growth Drivers
continued
Case study
Establishing our Mexico tech hub
Resourcing our technology and engineering
teams in a cost-effective way is a critical
determinant of the pace at which ATG can
execute against its vision and extend its
position as a market leader. With a view to
retaining operating leverage in the future,
in January 24 we opened a tech hub in
Mexico, where we have recruited high-quality
engineers at a cost that allows us to add
capacity more quickly and cost effectively.
The teams work collaboratively with our other
North America and UK teams and have been
working across all areas of our technology
stack and product lines.
ATG operates a hub and spoke model with
centralised support functions. This allows us
to increase profitability and generate cash as
we grow, whilst also enabling our businesses
to remain nimble and respond to local
market conditions.
Relevant KPIs
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted diluted EPS
Adjusted free cash flow conversion
Associated risks
All risks as further detailed on page 37
Case study
Roll out atgShip on LiveAuctioneers
In FY24, the Group take rate increased
0.6ppt to 4.2%, largely driven by value-added
services where revenue grew 35% and which
now account for 24% of total revenue.
Alongside the growth of atgAMP and atgPAY,
in the year we rolled out atgShip, our new
integrated shipping solution on LiveAuctioneers.
Bidders frequently cite listed integrated
shipping as the best thing that LiveAuctioneers
could do to improve the experience for them.
We are pleased to have been able to respond
and to see the positive results in its first year of
launch, with over 10% of North American listed
items now eligible for shipping. We are also
encouraged by the favourable bidder dynamics,
with auctions featuring atgShip seeing a 9%
increase in bidding activity and 5% GMV uplift
on average, demonstrating the enhanced
bidder experience.
Value-added services allows ATG to increase
monetization of every transaction without
creating additional cost for auctioneers or
bidders. We displace alternative service
providers and provide a more integrated buying
and selling experience. ATG has developed a
wide suite of services that both simplify the
auctioneer operations and also improve the
buyer experience. Services include atgAMP,
digital marketing solutions for auctioneers,
atgPAY, an integrated payments solution, and
atgShip, an integrated delivery solution.
Relevant KPIs
Revenue
Take rate
Associated risks
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 9
as further detailed on page 37
Our progress in FY24
Take rate increased by 0.6ppt to 4.2%,
excluding ESN.
Growth in adoption and revenue generation
across all three value-added services.
Our opportunities for FY25 and beyond
Continue to grow the adoption of atgAMP,
atgPay for LiveAuctioneers and Proxibid and
atgShip for LiveAuctioneers.
Develop atgPay and atgShip for other ATG
marketplaces.
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
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Further Information
26
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Case study
ESN
In FY24, ESN delivered a strong year of
performance, growing revenues by 24% and
executing against its strategic initiatives to
update pricing models, roll out marketing
products and initiate cross-listing with other
ATG marketplaces.
The strong revenue growth at ESN has further
demonstrated ATG’s strong track record
in finding and integrating value-accretive
acquisitions that add to our scale.
The acquisition has also accelerated our
network effect, as we enabled LiveAuctioneers
auctioneers to cross-list on to ESN. 49% of
auctions on LiveAuctioneers were cross-listed
on ESN in the second half of FY24, with
buyers originating from ESN driving on
average a 9% uplift on the auctions in
which they participated. The success of this
initiative highlights that consumers ready
to buy at auction are not only just those who
are traditionally bidding, but are also those
coming from all sectors within the secondary
goods market.
Six Strategic Growth Drivers
continued
M&A has and continues to offer ATG a way
to accelerate our entry into key verticals, to
improve the return on investment on our
core marketplace and value-added services
investments. In addition, it enhances the value
we provide to both sellers and buyers on our
marketplaces by extending their reach and the
inventory we enable them to access.
Relevant KPIs
Revenue
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted diluted EPS
Adjusted free cash flow
THV
GMV
Associated risks
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 9
as further detailed on page 37
Pursue accretive
M&A
Our progress in FY24
Successful integration of ESN into ATG.
ESN delivered strong revenue growth in
first full year as part of ATG.
Enabled cross-listing between ESN and
ATG’s complementary buyer bases.
Our opportunities for FY25 and beyond
Remain active in looking for acquisition
opportunities that add to our footprint and/
or increase value across our network.
Continue to drive revenue synergies
between ESN and other ATG marketplaces.
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
27
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Financial KPIs
Six Strategic Growth Drivers
Extend the total
addressable market
Grow the
conversion rate
Enhance the
network effect
Grow take rate via
value-added services
Expand operational
leverage
Pursue
accretive M&A
We monitor our progress using financial and
non-financial key performance indicators.
Key Performance Indicators
Revenue
($m)
$174.2
m
FY24
FY23
FY22
$174.2m
$165.9m
$151.8m
Adjusted EBITDA
1
($m)
$80.0
m
FY24
FY23
FY22
$80.0m
$78.4m
$68.7m
Adjusted free cash flow conversion
1
(%)
82.0
%
FY24
FY23
FY22
82.0%
78.0%
92.5%
Basic earnings/(loss) per share
(c)
19.7
c
FY24
FY23
FY22
19.7c
16.8c
(4.6)c
Adjusted diluted earnings per share
1
(c)
38.6
c
FY24
FY23
FY22
38.6c
39.8c
37.8c
Why we use this measure
Why we use this measure
Why we use this measure
Why we use this measure
Why we use this measure
Revenue is used to measure the Group’s
overall growth and trading performance.
Adjusted EBITDA is the measure used
to assess the operating performance
of the Group.
The Group monitors its operational
efficiency with reference to operational
cash conversion, defined as adjusted
free cash flow as a percentage of
adjusted EBITDA.
Basic earnings/(loss) per share represents
the earnings/loss for the year attributable
to ordinary shareholders.
Adjusted diluted earnings per share
represents the adjusted earnings for the
year attributable to ordinary shareholders
divided by the diluted weighted average
number of ordinary shares outstanding
during the year.
Performance
Performance
Performance
Performance
Performance
Revenue increased 5% vs FY23 primarily
driven by growth in value-added services
and revenue growth at ESN.
Adjusted EBITDA increased 2% as revenue
growth offset a 1ppt decrease in the
adjusted EBITDA margin. Adjusted EBITDA
margin was impacted by decline in
commission revenue.
The Group generated $65.8m of adjusted
free cash flow1 in FY24 (FY23: $6
1.1m). The
increase in conversion reflects the increase
in cash generated from operations.
Basic earnings per share of 19.7c compared
to 16.8c in FY23, benefiting from higher
operating profit, partially offset by a lower
income tax credit.
Adjusted diluted earnings per share of
38.6c decreased from 39.8c in FY23 as the
increase in adjusted EBITDA was offset by
a higher effective adjusted tax rate.
Principal risks
Principal risks
Principal risks
Principal risks
Principal risks
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9
Link to remuneration
Link to remuneration
Link to remuneration
Link to remuneration
Link to remuneration
Yes – see pages 110 to 125 of the Directors’
Remuneration Report for further details.
Yes – see pages 110 to 125 of the Directors’
Remuneration Report for further details.
No
No
Yes – see pages 110 to 125 of the Directors’
Remuneration Report for further details
Link to strategic growth driver
Link to strategic growth driver
Link to strategic growth driver
Link to strategic growth driver
Link to strategic growth driver
1.
This report provides alternative performance measures (“APMs”) which are not defined or specified under the requirements of UK-adopted International Accounting Standards. We believe these APMs provide readers with important additional information on our business
and aid comparability. We have included a comprehensive list of the APMs in note 3 to the financial statements, with definitions, an explanation of how they are calculated, why we use them and how they can be reconciled to a statutory measure where relevant.
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
28
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Six Strategic Growth Drivers
Extend the total
addressable market
Grow the
conversion rate
Enhance the
network effect
Grow take rate via
value-added services
Expand operational
leverage
Pursue
accretive M&A
Operating KPIs
Key Performance Indicators
continued
Total hammer value (“THV”)
1
($bn)
$13.2
bn
FY24
FY23
FY22
$13.2bn
$13.2bn
$12.9bn
Conversion rate
1
(%)
27
%
FY24
FY23
FY22
27%
31%
33%
Gross merchandise value (“GMV”)
1
($bn)
$3.6
bn
FY24
FY23
FY22
$3.6bn
$4.1bn
$4.2bn
Take rate
1
(%)
4.2
%
FY24
FY23
FY22
4.2%
3.6%
3.3%
Why we use this measure
Why we use this measure
Why we use this measure
Why we use this measure
The Group’s THV represents the total
final sale value of all lots listed on the
marketplaces or the platform.
The conversion rate is GMV as a percentage
of the THV. It represents the % of total final
sale value of lots listed and sold on ATG’s
marketplaces where the winning bid was
placed on an ATG marketplace.
The Group’s GMV represents the total
final sale value of all lots sold via winning
bids placed on the marketplaces or the
platform.
Take rate represents marketplace revenue
as a percentage of GMV. It represents how
we monetise the value of items sold on
our marketplaces.
Performance
Performance
Performance
Performance
THV of $13.2bn was flat year-on-year as
volume growth was offset by a lower mix
of high value items in the A&A sector, the
normalisation of used asset prices in the
I&C sector, as well as the impact from the
rotated volume in the prior year.
The conversion rate declined 4ppt year-on-
year, impacted by the mix of assets sold
on the marketplaces including the growth
A&A items from auctioneers outside North
America, UK and Germany, as well as
changes to the pricing structure on the
Proxibid marketplace.
GMV declined by 11% impacted by the
softening in conversion rates, primarily in
the I&C sector.
Take rate increased by 0.6ppt to 4.2%,
largely driven by the growth in value-added
services.
Principal risks
Principal risks
Principal risks
Principal risks
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9
Link to remuneration
Link to remuneration
Link to remuneration
Link to remuneration
No
No
No
No
Link to strategic growth driver
Link to strategic growth driver
Link to strategic growth driver
Link to strategic growth driver
1.
Refer to the Glossary for full definitions. Operating KPIs exclude ESN.
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
29
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Group presentation of results
The financial results for FY24 are presented for
the year ended 30 September 2024. The Group
has changed its presentational currency from
pound sterling to US dollars for FY24 and
future financial periods. The FY23 comparatives
have been re-presented in US dollars. Note 1 of
the Consolidated Financial Statements
provides further details on the change in
presentation currency.
On 6 February 2023, the Group completed its
acquisition of Vintage Software LLC., trading as
EstateSales.NET (“ESN”), for a consideration of
$40m. The results for ESN are included within
the A&A operating segment in FY24 and FY23
from the date of the acquisition. Full details of
the accounting implications are detailed in note
11 of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The impact of the acquisition affects the
comparability of the Group’s results. Therefore,
to aid comparisons between FY23 and FY24
organic revenue growth is presented to exclude
the acquisition of ESN on 6 February 2023.
Organic revenue is shown on a constant
currency basis, using average exchange rates
for the current financial period applied to the
comparative period and is used to eliminate
the effects of fluctuations in assessing
performance. Note 3 of the Consolidated
Financial Statements includes a full
reconciliation of all APMs presented to
the reported results for FY24 and FY23.
Group
Group revenue increased 5% year-on-year
to $174.2m, driven by growth in marketplace
revenue and the acquisition of ESN. On an
organic basis2, revenue grew
2% including organic
marketplace revenue growth of 3%. driven by the
growth in value-added services revenue which
offset a 6% reduction in commission revenue
primarily impacted by a 11% decrease in GMV.
In the second half, organic marketplace revenue
growth improved to 4% largely due to the
improvement in the trend of GMV which was
down 4%. Marketplace revenue growth was
partially offset by declines in both Auction
Services and Content of 18% and 5% respectively.
Arts & Antiques
Revenue in the A&A segment grew 12% to $90.3m
including the ESN acquisition, and grew 6% on
an organic basis. Organic revenue growth was
predominantly driven by the strong growth of all
value-added services in A&A including atgAMP,
atgPay and atgShip, with a resultant 1.2ppt
increase in the take rate to 9.8%. GMV across
A&A declined 6%, impacted by a softer market
environment, particularly for higher value items.
The overall conversion rate in A&A was down 1ppt
at 14%. The A&A conversion rate for our core
geographies, which generate the vast majority of
A&A revenues, was stable year-on-year. Thus the
decline was driven by a dilutive impact from an
increase in the listings of auctioneers from other
geographies who typically have a significantly
lower conversion rate. ESN delivered strong
growth, up 24% year-on-year, largely driven by
an updated pricing structure and the growth of
marketing revenue.
2.
Operational KPIs are unaudited. Refer to the Glossary for
full definitions. The Group has made certain acquisitions
that have affected the comparability of the Group’s results.
To aid comparisons between FY24 and FY23, organic
revenue has been presented to exclude the acquisition of
EstateSales.NET on 6 February 2023. Organic revenue is
shown on a constant currency basis using average
exchange rates for the current financial period applied to
the comparative period and is used to eliminate the effects
of fluctuations in assessing performance.
Chief Financial Officer’s Review
Revenue
FY23: $165.9m
$174.2
m
Adjusted EBITDA
1
FY23: $78.4m
$80.0
m
Profit before tax
FY23: $8.6m
$18.4
m
Adjusted diluted earnings
FY23: 39.8c
per share
1
38.6
c
Basic earnings per share
FY23: 16.8c
19.7
c
Adjusted free cash flow
1
FY23: $61.1m
$65.8
m
Tom Hargreaves
Chief Financial Officer
1.
This report provides alternative performance measures
(“APMs”) which are not defined or specified under the
requirements of UK-adopted International Accounting
Standards. We believe these APMs provide readers with
important additional information on our business and aid
comparability. We have included a comprehensive list of
the APMs in note 3 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements, with definitions, an explanation of how they
are calculated, why we use them and how they can be
reconciled to a statutory measure where relevant.
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
30
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Chief Financial Officer’s Review
continued
Industrial & Commercial
I&C revenue increased 1% on a reported basis
and was flat year-on-year on an organic basis
at $71.8m. I&C commission revenue fell by 7%,
impacted by a 12% decline in I&C GMV, or a 5%
decline when excluding the impact of the
rotated volume which had high service
requirements but minimal revenue contribution.
I&C THV was negatively impacted by the
normalisation of asset prices in some used asset
categories, although showed momentum in the
second half as asset prices stabilised with THV
positive in the second half. Whilst the headline
conversion rate in I&C fell 4ppt to 38%, this was
impacted by asset category mix, including a
decline in real estate which tends to be lumpy
and is largely via timed auctions, although has a
minimal commission rate, as well by the Proxibid
rate card standardisation which had a reducing
impact over the course of the year. GMV growth
was also positive in the second half when
excluding low commission rate real estate, as
a result of improved end markets as well as
stabilisation in the conversion rate due to early
positive signs from strategic initiatives to drive
GMV such as the roll out of atgXL and the
adoption of atg white label. The continued
growth in value-added services also provided
support to I&C revenue contributing to a 0.3ppt
increase in the take rate to 2.5%.
Auction Services
Auction Services revenue of $8.4m declined
18% on a reported basis. Our strategic decision
to focus on our marketplace integrated
cross-listing product, resulted in both the
cessation of new customer additions to our
stand-alone (no presence on our marketplaces)
product as well as the churn of a limited
number of international customers in auction
services who do not use our marketplaces,
with both sets of customers being small
auctioneers who are low margin for ATG and
have a low lifetime value. Larger auctioneers,
who have bespoke white label solutions whilst
also using our marketplaces and account for
Financial performance
FY24
$m
FY23
$m
Movement
Revenue
174.2
165.9
5%
Cost of sales
(57.0)
(53.3)
7%
Gross profit
117.2
112.6
4%
Administrative expenses
(84.8)
(85.7)
(1)%
Other operating income
0.7
(100)%
Operating profit
32.4
27.6
17%
Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in note 3)
80.0
78.4
2%
Finance income
0.3
0.2
50%
Finance cost
(14.3)
(19.2)
(26)%
Net finance costs
(14.0)
(19.0)
(26)%
Profit before tax
18.4
8.6
114%
Income tax credit
5.8
11.9
(51)%
Profit for the period aributable
to the equity holders of the Company
24.2
20.5
18%
the majority of revenue, remain in auction
services. We expect this impact to be
significantly lower in future years. We aim
for ATG to increasingly become the preferred
provider for white label solutions to our
marketplace customers, through our atgXL
product, with revenue generated from
cross-listed auctions to be recognised
in marketplace revenue.
Content
Content revenue declined 3% to $3.7m, as
expected, impacted by the historic gradual
decline in print advertising.
Operating profit
The Group reported an operating profit of
$32.4m compared to $27.6m in the prior year,
driven by the increase in gross profit and broadly
flat administrative expenses year-on-year.
Gross profit increased 4% to $117.2m, driven
by the 5% increase in revenue, partially offset
by a 1ppt decrease in the gross margin to
67%, driven by the decline in high margin
commission revenue. Administrative expenses
decreased by $0.9m to $84.8m, benefiting from
a lower share-based payment expense of
$6.0m (FY23: $8.6m) due to changes in the
Senior Management Team as well due to the
financial performance of the Group, in addition
to a decrease in exceptional costs year-of-year
to $1.1m (FY23: $3.3m) primarily relating to final
costs from the ESN acquisition. Administrative
expenses also include the amortisation on
acquired intangible assets of $28.1m (FY23:
$27.0m). Excluding the impact of these costs,
administrative expenses increased $2.8m
reflecting full-year cost contribution from the
ESN acquisition versus seven months in the
prior year, an increase in the level of expected
credit losses in the period (particularly from
Auction Services), and investments in the
business to support future growth such as the
establishment of a tech hub in Mexico. This
increase in costs was partially offset by lower
performance-related pay year-on-year.
Revenue
FY24
$m
FY23
$m
Movement
reported
Movement
organic
2
Arts & Antiques (“A&A”)
90.3
80.5
12%
6%
Industrial & Commercial (“I&C”)
71.8
71.4
1%
0%
Total marketplace
162.1
151.9
7%
3%
Auction Services
8.4
10.2
(18)%
(18)%
Content
3.7
3.8
(3)%
(5)%
Total
174.2
165.9
5%
2%
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
31
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Chief Financial Officer’s Review
continued
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA definitions and reconciliations
to the reported results are presented in note 3
of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Adjusted EBITDA increased from $78.4m to
$80.0m year-on-year, driven by revenue growth.
The adjusted EBITDA margin decreased by 1ppt
to 46% impacted by the changing mix of revenue
with the decline in high margin commission
revenue. As expected, the adjusted EBITDA
margin improved significantly in the second half,
driven by the phasing of costs in the year and an
improving trend in commission revenue.
Net finance costs
Net finance costs were $14.0m compared to
$19.0m in FY23. Costs include the impact of a
$0.5m non-cash foreign exchange loss versus a
$5.0m loss in FY23 related to intergroup balances.
Excluding this impact, finance costs decreased
to $13.8m (FY23: $14.2m), benefiting from
a lower average loan balance over the year
offsetting a higher average interest rate of 8%,
which is based on the Secured Overnight
Financing Rate (“SOFR”). In the year, the Group
repaid $27.7m on the Senior Term Facility. As a
result, the total loan balance decreased from
$148.6m to $121.5m as at 30 September 2024.
Other finance costs of $1.3m (FY23: $1.2m)
include commitment fees and loan origination
amortisation on our Senior Term Facility,
movement in the deferred consideration as
well as interest on lease liabilities. Finance
income of $0.3m primarily relates to interest
income in the year (FY23: $0.2m). In FY25,
we would expect interest costs to be lower
reflecting a lower interest rate as a result of
both forward interest rate expectations and
a planned debt refinance in FY25, as well as
reflecting a lower average loan balance.
Profit before tax
After the impact of lower net finance costs
year-on-year, the Group reported a profit
before tax of $18.4m (FY23: $8.6m).
Taxation
The Group’s statutory tax credit of $5.8m (FY23:
$11.9m) with an effective tax rate credit of 32%
(FY23: credit of 137%) includes unrealised foreign
exchange differences and non-deductible
foreign exchange differences on intra-group
loan balances of $11.5m (FY23: $11.9m). The
intra-group loan which gave rise to the foreign
exchange differences has been redenominated
at the end of FY24, and therefore there are not
expected to be significant deferred tax
movements in the tax charge going forward.
The tax charge, excluding these permanent
differences, is $5.7m (FY23: $nil). Other
reconciling items included non-deductible
share-based payment expense and adjustments
in respect of prior years and tax rates. In FY23
other reconciling items also included allowable
deductions on exercise of share associated with
the LiveAuctioneers acquisition.
The tax rate on adjusted earnings of 19%, which
includes the benefit of deductible goodwill,
increased from 16% in the prior year, reflecting
the increase in the UK corporate tax rate. The
Group expects the tax rate on adjusted earnings
to remain at 19% in FY25 subject to no further
changes in tax rates in our key jurisdictions.
The Group is committed to paying its fair share
of tax and manages tax matters in line with
the Group’s Tax Strategy, which is approved by
the Board and is published on our website
www.auctiontechnologygroup.com.
Earnings per share and adjusted
earnings per share
Basic and diluted earnings per share were 19.7c
and 19.5c respectively compared to 16.8c and
16.7c respectively in FY23, benefiting from the
increase in profit before tax. The weighted
average number of shares during the year was
122.7m (FY23: 122.2m), with the increase due to
the impact of vested equity incentive awards.
Adjusted diluted earnings per share was 38.6c
compared to 39.8c in FY23 and is based on
profit after tax adjusted to exclude share-based
payment expense, exceptional items (operating
Foreign currency impact
Although the Group has changed its presentational currency to US dollars, the Group’s reported
performance is sensitive to movements in both the pound sterling and the euro against the
US dollar with a mix of revenues included in the table below.
The tax for the period was significantly impacted by movements in foreign currency exchange
rates, resulting in a reduction in the tax charge of $11.5m. The weakening of the US dollar against
pound sterling has given rise to a gain of $1.0m on assets held and $13.0m on the external dollar
loan. A net loss of $14.0m has been recognised in the foreign currency reserve.
FY24
$m
FY23
$m
United Kingdom
25.3
24.1
North America
143.3
137.0
Germany
5.6
4.8
Total
174.2
165.9
The average FY24 exchange rate of US dollar against pound sterling weakened by 3.3% and by 1.9%
against the euro compared to FY23, as shown in the table below, resulting in a small positive
impact on our Group revenue.
Average rate
Closing rate
FY24
FY23
Movement
FY24
FY23
Movement
Pound sterling
1.27
1.23
3.3%
1.34
1.22
9.8%
Euro
1.09
1.07
1.9%
1.12
1.06
5.7%
and finance costs), amortisation of acquired
intangible assets and any related tax effects.
The decrease versus FY23 is driven by the higher
effective tax rate of 19% versus 16% in FY23
reflecting the increased tax rate in the UK, which
offsets the increase in adjusted earnings largely
due to higher adjusted EBITDA. The weighted
average number of ordinary shares and dilutive
options in the year was 123.8m (FY23: 123.1m).
A reconciliation of the Group’s profit after tax
to adjusted earnings is set out in note 3.
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
32
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Statement of financial position
Overall net assets at 30 September 2024
have increased by $41.3m to $687.8m since
30 September 2023. Total assets decreased by
$20.7m, driven by a $3.7m cash outflow related
to the prepayment of our Senior Term Facility,
a net reduction in intangible assets of $25.5m
(including additions of $10.8m and amortisation
charge of $39.0m) and an $11.4m increase in
goodwill due to foreign exchange movements.
The Group’s goodwill and intangibles were
tested for impairment at 30 September 2024
and no impairment was recognised. Refer to
note 12 for further details.
Total liabilities decreased by $62.0m, primarily
due to a reduction in loans and borrowings of
$27.1m, a decrease in deferred tax liabilities
of $15.0m, which is largely driven by the
movement on the unrealised foreign exchange
differences and the unwind of the capitalised
acquisition intangible assets and the $18.9m
reduction in trade and other payables including
the $12.0m payment of deferred consideration
and bonus for ESN.
Cash flow and adjusted net debt
The Group generated $71.6m cash from
operations, a small increase from the prior year
(FY23: $70.7m). Expenditure on additions to
internally generated software was $10.8m (FY23:
$10.8m) primarily relating to investments in new
products such as atgXL, atgPay and atgShip,
as well as investment to consolidate our
technology platforms. Spend was in line with
the guidance we provided at the start of FY24.
Excluding the impact from exceptional and
other items, working capital was an outflow of
$3.0m (FY23: outflow of $5.8m) and primarily
relates to performance related pay accruals
and the timing of trade activity. In the year, the
Group paid $10.0m in deferred consideration
and $2.0m in retention bonuses related to the
ESN acquisition.
Reconciliation of cash generated from operations to adjusted free cash flow
FY24
$m
FY23
$m
Cash generated from operations
71.6
70.7
Adjustments for:
Exceptional items
1.0
3.3
Working capital from exceptional and other items
4.4
(1.4)
Additions to internally generated software
(10.8)
(10.8)
Additions to property, plant and equipment
(0.4)
(0.5)
Payments for right of use assets
(0.2)
Adjusted free cash flow
65.8
61.1
Adjusted free cash flow conversion
82%
78%
Reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to adjusted free cash flow
FY24
$m
FY23
$m
Adjusted EBITDA
80.0
78.4
Movement in working capital
(7.4)
(4.4)
Add back: working capital from exceptional and other items
4.4
(1.4)
Adjusted cash from operations
77.0
72.6
Additions to internally generated software
(10.8)
(10.8)
Additions to property, plant and equipment
(0.4)
(0.5)
Payments for right of use assets
(0.2)
Adjusted free cash flow
65.8
61.1
Adjusted free cash flow conversion
82%
78%
Chief Financial Officer’s Review
continued
Adjusted net debt/adjusted EBITDA
1.4x
Adjusted free cash flow conversion
82%
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
33
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Chief Financial Officer’s Review
continued
Adjusted net debt as at 30 September 2024
was $114.7m, a decrease from $141.2m as at
30 September 2023 due to strong operating
cash generation. The Group had cash and cash
equivalents excluding restricted cash of $6.8m
and borrowings of $121.5m as at 30 September
2024 (30 September 2023: cash and cash
equivalents excluding restricted cash of
$7.4m and borrowings of $148.6m).
Restricted cash reduced by $3.0m due to the
payment of restricted cash from the employee
benefit trust as highlighted in the FY23 Annual
Report and Accounts. The Group repaid $27.7m
of its Senior Term Facility during the year and
the drawdown on the Revolving Credit Facility
to fund the ESN payments was fully repaid in
the second half. The adjusted net debt/adjusted
EBITDA ratio was 1.4x as at 30 September 2024
versus 1.8x as at 30 September 2023.
The Group’s adjusted free cash flow was
$65.8m (FY23: $61.1m), a conversion rate of 82%
(FY23: 78%). The increase in the conversion rate
reflects higher cash generated from operations.
Dividends
As per the Group’s dividend policy, the Group
sees strong growth opportunities through
organic and inorganic investments and, as such,
intends to retain any future earnings to finance
such investments. The Company will review its
dividend policy on an ongoing basis but does
not expect to declare or pay any dividends for
the foreseeable future. Therefore, no dividends
have been paid or proposed for FY24 or FY23.
Post balance sheet events
There were no post balance sheet events.
Related parties
Related party disclosures are detailed in note
23 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Going concern
The Directors are required to assess going
concern at each reporting period. The Directors
have undertaken the going concern assessment
for the Group for the period to 31 December
2025. The Directors have assessed the Group’s
prospects, both as a going concern and its
longer-term viability as set out on pages 41
and 42. After considering the current financial
projections, the bank facilities available and
then applying severe but plausible sensitivities,
the Directors of the Company are satisfied that
the Group has sufficient resources for its
operational needs and will remain in
compliance with the financial covenants in its
bank facilities until at least 31 December 2025.
For this reason, the Directors continue to
adopt the going concern basis in preparing the
Consolidated Financial Statements for the year
ended 30 September 2024. The process and
key judgements in coming to this conclusion
are set out below:
Liquidity
The Group entered into the Senior Facilities
Agreement on 17 June 2021 which included
the Senior Term Facility for $204.0m for the
acquisition of LiveAuctioneers. The Senior Term
Facility was drawn down in full on 30 September
2021 prior to completion of the acquisition of
LiveAuctioneers on 1 October 2021. The loan is
due to be fully repaid by 17 June 2026. In the
absence of any other prepayments, the next
scheduled repayment would be $6.1m on
31 March 2025. At 30 September 2024 the loan
balance outstanding was $122.6m and was
subject to interest at a margin of 2.75% over
US SOFR.
In addition, the Group has a multi-currency
revolving credit working capital facility (the
“RCF”) for $49.0m. Any sums outstanding under
the RCF will be due for repayment on 17 June
2026. On 13 February 2024, $9.5m was drawn
down to partly fund the payment of deferred
consideration and retention bonuses relating
to the acquisition of ESN (see note 11), and has
been repaid in full.
The Directors are in the early stages of
renegotiations on the financing arrangements
for the Group in advance of the current facilities
expiring in June 2026. The Directors assume
that the Group will continue to have funding
throughout the going concern period and the
three-year viability period (as discussed on
page 41) on the basis that the Group will either
renew the facility or have sufficient time to
agree an alternative source of finance on
comparable terms. As at 30 September 2024
the Group has adjusted net debt of $114.7m
and is in a net current liability position which
includes the current Senior Term Facility
of $23.0m.
Covenants
The Group is subject to covenant tests on the
Senior Term Facility, with the most sensitive
covenant being the net leverage ratio covenant
(adjusted net debt: trailing 12-month adjusted
EBITDA). The net leverage ratio covenant was
2.75x at 30 September 2024. Under the base case
forecasts and each of the downside scenarios,
including the combined downside scenario, the
Group is forecast to be in compliance with the
covenants and have cash headroom, without
applying mitigating actions which could be
implemented such as reducing capital
expenditure spend. At 30 September 2024,
the net leverage ratio was 1.4x compared to
the limit of 2.75x and therefore the Group
was comfortably within the covenant.
Scenario planning
The Directors have undertaken the going
concern assessment for the Group, taking into
consideration the Group’s business model,
strategy, and principal and emerging risks. As
part of the going concern review the Directors
have reviewed the Group’s forecasts and
projections, and assessed the headroom on the
Group’s facilities and the banking covenants.
This has been considered under a base case and
several plausible but severe downside scenarios,
taking into consideration the Group’s principal
risks and uncertainties. These scenarios include:
significant reduction in marketplace revenue
due to an 8% reduction in THV versus the
base case
significant reduction in marketplace revenue
due to conversion rate decline of 6% versus
the base case; and,
50% lower revenue growth from value-added
services across the Group versus the base
case.
None of these scenarios individually, or
in the combined scenario, which reduces
adjusted EBITDA by $21m, threaten the Group’s
ability to continue as a going concern. Even in
the combined downside scenario modelled
(the combination of all downside scenarios
occurring at once) the Group would be able
to operate within the level of its current
available debt facilities and covenants.
Accordingly, the Directors continue to adopt
the going concern basis in preparing the
Consolidated Financial Statements for
the year ended 30 September 2024.
Tom Hargreaves
Chief Financial Officer
26 November 2024
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
34
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
External audit
Regulator
•Overall responsibility for the Group’s risk management and internal control systems.
•Defines risk appetite, taking into account the Group’s strategic objectives.
•Reviews the Group’s principal risks annually, taking guidance from the Audit Committee.
• Supports the Board by monitoring the adequacy
and effectiveness of internal control and risk
management systems.
• Reviews the activities of internal audit,
including at least annual assessments
of internal audit effectiveness.
1st line
Front-line functions
• Responsible for identifying,
assessing and managing
day-to-day risk and ensuring
appropriate controls are
operating effectively.
• Ensuring adherence to Company
policies, procedures and any
regulatory requirements.
• Taking appropriate actions
when issues are identified,
escalating to management.
2nd line
Risk management functions
• Provides oversight, guidance,
and tools for managing risk.
• Develops and sets risk
management policies,
frameworks, and standards.
• Ensures the business’s
activities align with the Group’s
risk appetite.
3rd line
Internal audit
• Internal audit reviews focused
on key risk areas, guided by
the Audit Committee.
• Evaluates the adequacy and
effectiveness of the risk
management and control
processes across the Group.
• Reports into the Audit
Committee, highlighting key
risks and control weaknesses.
Audit
Commiee
The Board
•Supports Internal Audit in setting scopes
for reviews and monitors the appropriate
follow-up of findings and actions.
•Reviews the Group’s principal and other key
and emerging risks at least twice per year.
Risk Management
At ATG, we implement a strong risk management strategy to ensure
sustainable business growth, the achievement of our goals, and to
deliver value to our customers, shareholders, and other stakeholders.
Risk management approach
The Board has overall responsibility for
deciding the nature and level of risks the
Group is prepared to take to achieve its
strategic objectives. The Board is also
responsible for establishing and maintaining
effective risk management and internal control
frameworks, while the Audit Committee
independently monitors the effectiveness
of these frameworks.
The Group’s risk management process
ensures appropriate controls are in place
to manage risks across the Group, while also
allowing innovation and ensuring growth and
development. Risk management practices are
integrated into business activities in a balanced
way, fostering a culture that is aware of risks
and capable of identifying and responding to
both risks and opportunities.
Risk management is managed on an ongoing
basis by the Group Head of Risk and Internal
Audit, reporting into the Audit Committee four
times per year.
The Group applies a “Three Lines of Defence”
model to risk management.
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
35
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Seing the risk appetite
Identifying risks
Assessing risks
Monitoring and reviewing risks
Managing risks
1
5
2
3
4
1
Seing the risk appetite
The Board recognises the need for informed
risk-taking in order to deliver sustainable and
profitable business growth. We have defined
risk appetite levels in the Group’s strategic
risk register, which helps us make more
informed decisions by consistently targeting
priority areas across our risk landscape.
Risk Management
continued
Risk management process
Our approach to risk management follows
a five-step process. The Group Head of Risk
and Internal Audit leads the Group’s
approach to the identification, assessment,
management and subsequent monitoring,
reporting and review of any material risks
that threaten the Group’s strategic and
business objectives. Updates are reported
to the Audit Committee on an ongoing basis,
ensuring the Group’s standards are met.
Our risk appetite across different areas
informs the Group’s risk and control
framework and day-to-day control activities.
The Group wants to be best in class and
highly respected across the industry. The
Board will not accept any negative impact on
reputation with any key stakeholders and will
only tolerate minimum exposure such as
minor negative press coverage. The Board will
not accept negative impacts on employees.
2
Identifying risks
Principal and emerging risks are maintained in
the Group’s strategic risk register by the Group
Head of Risk and Internal Audit and reviewed by
the Audit Committee and the Board bi-annually.
The strategic risk register captures the
assessment of each risk, mitigating controls
in place and residual risk ratings.
All levels of the Group’s management
structure are continuously horizon scanning for
potential risks.
The Group Head of Risk and Internal Audit works
closely with the front-line teams to understand
current and emerging risks at the operational level.
3
Assessing risks
Risks are evaluated to establish the root cause
and to quantify the likelihood of the event
occurring and the full range of potential impacts
from a minimum (best case) to a maximum
(worst case). These scores are compared against
our risk appetite to support the decisions for
further mitigation as appropriate.
4
Managing risks
Mitigating actions are developed by management
and implemented by the front-line teams. Overall
ownership of the principal risks is assigned to
members of the Group’s Leadership Team.
If the residual level of risk after mitigation
remains above our risk appetite, then further
mitigating actions are implemented.
5
Monitoring and reviewing risks
Strategic and operational risks are monitored by
the Group Head of Risk and Internal Audit on an
ongoing basis. Periodic review is then performed
by the Audit Committee as part of a review of
the output of the Group’s risk management
system. Ultimate oversight is then given by the
Board through bi-annual reviews. Independent
challenge is provided on an ongoing basis by the
internal audit team and our external auditors.
EFFECTIVE RISK MANAGEMENT
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
36
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Likelihood
Impact
Year-on-year movement
Medium
Medium
Low
High
Low
Low
Medium
High
Critical
Principal Risks and Uncertainties
Identifying, monitoring
and managing the Group’s
principal risks
The Board conducted a thorough evaluation of
key risks to the Group, including emerging risks
identified during the year, assessing potential
threats to its business model, future
performance, solvency, and liquidity. This
involved analysing the likelihood and impact
of each identified risk, along with the
corresponding mitigation strategies.
The following pages summarise our principal
risks, including updates during FY24 and what
we’re doing to mitigate.
New and emerging risks
Other than the Group’s principal risks, the Board
also considers new and emerging risks as part
of an ongoing risk assessment process. The
Board consistently evaluates both external and
internal business landscapes to identify and
understand emerging, evolving, or escalating
risks and issues. This is achieved through
operational risk assessments and various
horizon scanning initiatives. This proactive
approach allows us to strategically plan and
operate, mitigating potential threats effectively.
Our risk assessment matrix
prior to mitigating actions:
1
IT infrastructure – stability and business
continuity of auction platforms
2
Product – inability to keep pace
with innovation and changes
3
Cyber threat and data security
4
Competition
5
Failure to deliver expected benefits from
acquisitions and/or integrate the business
into the Group effectively
6
Attracting and retaining skills/capabilities
and succession planning
7
Regulatory compliance
8
Governance and internal control
9
Economic and geo-political uncertainty
Strategic growth drivers
Extend the total
addressable market
Grow the
conversion rate
Enhance the
network effect
Grow take rate via
value-added services
Expand operational
leverage
Pursue
accretive M&A
Trend key
Heightened risk
No change
Reduced risk
Risk assessment matrix
Climate-related risks
This year, the Sustainability and ESG
Committee, along with the Audit Committee,
have reviewed emerging risks, including those
related to climate and environmental reporting,
with findings reported to the Board. As a
provider of digital marketplace technology, the
Group maintains a low carbon footprint and
minimal environmental impact. Considering the
nature of the Group’s operations, it has been
determined that climate change actually
presents opportunities, allowing the Group to
foster and expedite the growth of the circular
economy, establishing a global channel for
sustainable commerce.
From the analysis performed with our
external consultants, it has been concluded
that the financial impact of climate-related
risks on the Group’s operations is low. The
Sustainability and ESG Committee has
identified a range of potential transitional,
physical and investor-related risks and
opportunities, across the Group’s value chain,
including platforms, customers, consumers
and employees, which have been outlined in
detail on page 61. On this basis, the Board has
concluded there is no principal risk for the
Group in respect of climate change.
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
37
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Risk overview
Changes in the year
Mitigating actions/controls
Risk info
1. IT infrastructure – stability
and business continuity of
auction platforms
An inability to maintain a consistently high-quality
experience, including network or server failure for
the Group’s auction houses and bidders across its
marketplaces or platform, could affect the Group’s
reputation, increase its operational costs and cause
losses. IT service disruption could occur due to
interruption in the provision of service from key
suppliers.
The Group has continued to progress towards
establishing a single technology platform for all
marketplaces, thereby improving efficiency, simplifying
support, and reducing complexity while allowing
greater resiliency across the infrastructure. 
IT infrastructure modernisation has advanced across
several marketplaces, including the deployment of
Kubernetes containerisation.
The Group’s formal Disaster Recovery (“DR”) plans
have been updated for ongoing changes due to
atgXL, system consolidation, and infrastructure
modernisation.
The cross-functional team responsible for managing
cloud operations and engineering across all
marketplaces has now matured to the level where it
can enforce standards to enhance system stability and
boost technology delivery efficiency.
We have a comprehensive plan to consolidate all of
the Group’s marketplaces, which will operate alongside
a suite of shared services. This consolidation process
will continue in stages over the coming years.
Additionally, we have a dedicated team that has
modernised the Group’s monitoring and alerting
framework, incorporating real user monitoring features
to gain insights into our customers’ experiences within
the marketplaces.
Risk owner
Chief Technology Officer
Strategic growth
drivers
Trend
2. Product – inability
to keep pace with innovation
and changes
If the Group does not invest and manage the platforms
and product development appropriately, incorporating
new features and embracing technological
advancements, there is a risk of falling behind in
innovation. This could lead to a decrease in the
number of auction houses and bidders utilising the
marketplaces or platform, ultimately resulting in a loss
of revenue.
We have appointed a new Chief Product Officer in FY24
to lead our innovation of new products.
This year atgPay and atgShip have seen further growth,
contributing to value-added services now accounting
for 24% of total revenue. 31% of auction events were
supported by atgAMP in FY24.
FY24 has seen the roll out of atgXL, our unique cross-
listing product. atgXL enables an auctioneer to have a
single upload of inventory to our system, to then push
that inventory to multiple ATG marketplaces as well as
to an ATG white label.
We also now have a unified data warehouse providing
a single comprehensive view of all our data, thereby
enabling us to improve analytics and support more
efficient decision-making, including through the
application of AI.
Our proprietary auction technology enables
auctioneers to efficiently access the online market.
We invest to offer auctioneers and bidders unique and
differentiated products.
The Chief Product Officer is key to developing the
Group’s value-added services. They also oversee
the dedicated product team which is responsible for
keeping pace with changes in customer expectations
and technological developments and defining
the roadmap of features for the platforms and
marketplaces.
New functionality is tested with a subset of the user
base, to gather real-time usage data and feedback,
to then optimise the user experience.
Risk owner
Chief Technology Officer
Chief Product Officer
Strategic growth
drivers
Trend
3. Cyber threat
and data security
The Group has a high dependency on technology
and multiple internal IT systems. These are at risk
of security breaches and targeted cyber attacks.
Despite our security measures, any compromise
of our systems could disrupt the Group’s business,
compromise sensitive and confidential information,
affect the Group’s reputation, increase costs and lead
to financial penalties.
This year we had an external review of the Group’s
cyber security practices, including an assessment
against the National Institute of Standards and
Technology (“NIST”) cybersecurity framework.
Results of this assessment were reported to the
Audit Committee. We have subsequently updated our
existing policies and processess to align to the NIST
cybersecurity framework.
Major segments of our marketplaces have been
migrated to container-based systems and a
programme of feature consolidation has begun to
streamline operations and reduce complexity.
There have been no reportable data breaches or
security incidents in the year.
The Group has an internal governance framework for
data protection and security policies and procedures in
place along with robust IT and security controls. Annual
penetration tests are performed on all proprietary
systems along with security recommendations from
third-party security providers reviewed each month.
We have a Group-wide IT security policy based on the
ISO 27001 standard and NIST cybersecurity framework,
and consolidated incident response processes and
procedures.
The Head of Information Architecture and Security
oversees all data security matters, with independent
assurance from our Group Data Protection Officer,
who both work with stakeholders across the Group
to review, develop and improve our data practices
and procedures.
Risk owner
Chief Technology Officer
Strategic growth
drivers
Trend
Principal Risks and Uncertainties
continued
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
38
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Risk overview
Changes in the year
Mitigating actions/controls
Risk info
4. Competition
The Group’s business model may come under pressure
should a significant number of auction houses choose
to take bidder generation, technology development
and customer service (amongst other things) in-house
and so bypass the marketplaces or platform, including
as a result of auction houses who use the Group’s
white label offering attempting to maintain their own
platforms rather than using the Group’s platform.
This year our auctioneer base was stable at 3,900
as we welcomed new auctioneers and maintained
a robust auctioneer retention rate.
We now work with three of the “Big 4” auctioneers,
across a combination of the use of our marketplaces,
x-listing and use of our white label services. This,
highlights the continued attractiveness of our bidder
reach, even for large global auctioneers.
We have continued to benefit from the acquisition
of ESN in FY23, further expanding our addressable
market in the North America estate sales market.
Since acquisition, ESN has attracted even more
estate sellers, with almost 5,000 active sellers on
the platform as at the end of September 2024.
The combination of our leadership, people, agile way of
working and strong industry knowledge and networks
helps to ensure that we stay up-to-date with the
competitive landscape within which we operate.
We are constantly innovating with our technology
and engaging our customers for feedback. We also
undertake regular horizon-scanning activities to
understand competitive threats and opportunities.
The Group is investing in its End-to-End experience to
significantly improve the online buying experience at
auction as well as simplifying and streamlining how
auction lots are listed online to further strengthen its
competitive position.
Risk owner
Chief Executive Officer
Strategic growth
drivers
Trend
5. Failure to deliver expected
benefits from acquisitions and/
or integrate the business into
the Group effectively
The Group has previously made and, in the future, may
undertake further acquisitions and investments, which
may prove unsuccessful or divert its resources, result
in operating difficulties and otherwise disrupt the
Group’s operations.
No new business acquisitions were made in FY24.
In February 2023, we completed the acquisition of
ESN. In February 2024 we paid $12.0m related to the
deferred consideration of $10.0m and retention bonus
of $2.0m for the ESN acquisition.
Integration of ESN into the Group has continued to
progress well. In FY24 the business has performed
ahead of the acquisition plan with strong revenue
growth, up 24% year-on-year.
We began cross-listing between LiveAuctioneers
and ESN with early results demonstrating positive
GMV uplift. This supports the cross-listing thesis and
highlights the opportunity to further drive the network
effect between ESN and ATG’s other complementary
buyer bases.
We have an experienced Head of M&A who takes
a disciplined approach to identifying and testing
acquisitions to ensure they would be an appropriate
strategic fit for the Group as well as earnings
enhancing.
Clear plans and route maps are prepared to
successfully integrate newly acquired businesses into
the Group. It is important that we retain key expertise
in our newly acquired businesses. Post the acquisitions
completing we continue to review operational
structures to ensure they are optimised globally.
Performance of the acquired businesses is reviewed
against the initial investment cases prepared to ensure
it is in line with original expectation.
Risk owner
Chief Executive Officer
Strategic growth
drivers
Trend
6. Attracting and retaining
skills/capabilities and
succession planning
Our business depends on hiring and retaining first-
class talent in the highly competitive technology
industry. Inability to attract and retain critical skills and
capabilities could hinder our ability to deliver on our
strategic objectives.
In FY24 we launched several new initiatives to drive
employee development through providing the right
environment to employees to grow their career.
We built a careers hub, a one-stop shop for
careers-related content such as access to training
through the ATG Academy and useful resources and
toolkits to empower employees to have meaningful
career conversations with their managers.
We have launched 13 new ATG Academy courses which
we consider most topical and relevant to ATG, such as
Using AI in the workplace, as well as a learning series
dedicated to career development and enabling
managers to lead with confidence with a series of
learning dedicated to management development.
We also launched a new performance module on our
Global HRIS system, streamlining the performance
review process and introducing an employee
recognition tool.
As a global business, it is important that we perform
regular reviews of our remuneration packages, share
incentive schemes and training provided to our
employees. Annual employee surveys and performance
reviews are undertaken across all levels.
The Chief People Officer is working to ensure the
integration of culture across the different businesses.
The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
regularly travel to businesses across the Group to assist
with talent retention. The Nomination Committee has
continued to review succession planning for the Board
and senior management.
Further details on our people can be found in the
Sustainability Report on page 72 and Nomination
Committee report on page 102.
Risk owner
Chief People Officer
Strategic growth
drivers
Trend
Principal Risks and Uncertainties
continued
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Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
39
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Principal Risks and Uncertainties
continued
Risk overview
Changes in the year
Mitigating actions/controls
Risk info
7. Regulatory compliance
The Group operates in a constantly changing and
complex regulatory environment, especially as a listed
business on the London Stock Exchange. There is a risk
that the Group fails to comply with these requirements
or to respond to changes in regulations, including the
Financial Conduct Authority’s rules and guidance, or
specific legislation in the territories in which the Group
operates, including the Competition and Markets
Authority in the UK and tax authorities across all
territories.
Non-compliance could lead to reputational damage,
financial or criminal penalties and impact on our ability
to do business.
There continue to be further regulatory requirements
and focus placed on listed businesses. In FY24
the Group continues to report on climate-related
issues in line with the Task Force on Climate-related
Financial Disclosures framework, this year meeting
all requirements of the framework.
Sales tax has been an area of focus, particularly
following the roll out of atgPay. External consultants
have been utilised to ensure the Group’s approach
remains appropriate.
Whilst not material for the Group, the evolution of
sanctions law, and in particular with reference to
Russia, will continue to be closely monitored by the
Leadership Team.
Compliance for the Group is overseen by the Audit
Committee and the Board has ultimate responsibility.
The Board and its Committees are supported by our
legal, company secretary, finance, operations and
technology teams. We ensure that all our people are
appropriately trained in compliance, relative to their
roles, and that this is maintained on an ongoing basis.
We have developed a detailed governance framework
to monitor our legal and regulatory risks, and to
ensure that we comply with the principles, rules and
guidance applicable to our regulated activities. These
are regularly reported upwards to the Audit Committee
and Board.
Risk owner
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Operating officer
Strategic growth
drivers
Trend
8. Governance and
internal control
Any failure and/or weakness in governance or internal
controls, financial or non-financial, could have a
significant impact on the operations and financial
performance of the Group.
In response to the updated UK Corporate Governance
Code, the Group Head of Risk and Internal Audit is
mapping the Group’s key risks to material controls,
following the Three Lines of Defence model.
A Finance Transformation Consultant has been taken
on to support the re-development of the financial
controls framework and support the consolidation of
finance systems across the Group.
Internal audit has issued five reports in the year,
including reviews over financial processes, finance
system IT controls, and business continuity & disaster
recovery processes.
Policies are reviewed on an ongoing basis and updated
where appropriate to ensure they remain fit for purpose
for the Group.
The Audit Committee fulfils a vital role in the Group’s
governance framework, providing independent
challenge and oversight of the accounting, financial
reporting and internal control processes.
The Board has ultimate responsibility for ensuring
compliance with the Corporate Governance Code.
For further information on activities undertaken
by the Board and Committees during the year see
pages 81 to 89.
Risk owner
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Financial Officer
Strategic growth
drivers
Trend
9. Economic and geo-political
uncertainty
Group performance could be adversely impacted by
factors beyond our control such as macroeconomic
conditions and political uncertainty in key markets.
The after-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have
largely diminished, and the impact of the conflicts
in Ukraine and the Middle East on the Group remain
minimal.
FY24 has seen weaker end markets, however we have
successfully mitigated some of the impact on GMV by
implementing key initiatives that further diversify our
revenue mix and introduce new income streams.
To better prepare for external uncertainties, we have
expanded our revenue streams, with value-added
services now contributing 24% of Group revenue.
The Group demonstrated, particularly through the
COVID-19 pandemic, that it has a strong business
model and its diversified revenue streams and
geographical markets help to mitigate the impact
of political or economic instability in any particular
country or region.
The Group’s commission revenue stream is directly
linked to asset prices which provide a natural inflation
hedge. The diversification of the Group’s revenue
streams as we roll out and grow value-added services
including payments and marketing also helps in more
uncertain economic periods.
The Group’s exposure to the secondary goods market
may benefit in periods of economic uncertainty as
buyers look for value in second-hand assets, and
as the supply of second-hand assets increases due
to the need for liquidity, including through business
insolvencies.
Risk owner
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Financial Officer
Strategic growth
drivers
Trend
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Further Information
40
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Viability Statement
Overview
The Directors have assessed the Group’s
prospects, both as a going concern and its
viability longer term. Understanding of the
Group’s business model, strategy and principal
and emerging risks is a key element in the
assessment of the Group’s prospects, as well
as the formal consideration of viability. The
Group’s strategy is detailed on pages 22 to 27
and the Group’s principal risks are described
on pages 37 to 40.
The Group’s prospects are assessed primarily
through its annual long-term detailed planning
process which considers profitability, the
Group’s cash flows, committed facilities,
liquidity and forecast funding requirements. This
exercise is completed annually and was signed
off by the Board in October 2024. As part of this
the Board considers the appropriateness of key
assumptions, taking into account the external
environment and the Group’s strategy.
Liquidity and financing position
The Group’s current financing includes the
following:
a $204.0m Senior Term Facility. The
Senior Term Facility was drawn in full
immediately prior to the completion of the
LiveAuctioneers acquisition on 30 September
2021 and will be due for repayment on 17
June 2026; and
a $49.0m multi-currency Revolving Credit
Facility. Any sums outstanding under the
Revolving Credit Facility will be due for
repayment on 17 June 2026. This was
undrawn at 30 September 2024.
The Directors are in the early stages of
renegotiations on the financing arrangements
for the Group in advance of the current
facilities expiring in June 2026. The viability
assessment undertaken assumes that the
Group will continue to have funding throughout
the viability period on the basis that the Group
will either renew the facility or have sufficient
time to agree an alternative source of finance
on comparable terms.
The assessment period
The Directors considered a number of factors
in determining the period covered by the
assessment. This included the Group’s principal
risks, the current and future financing
arrangements, and the certainty over future
auction activity. By their nature, forecasts
inherently become less accurate and more
uncertain as the planning horizon extends.
While we prepare a five-year plan, the plan’s
focus is mainly on the first three years with the
outer two years relying more on expected
trends and extrapolations.
The Directors have assessed the
appropriateness of this assertion as detailed
business planning focuses on the near-term
budget process based on the information
available to the Group for the markets and
operating environments in which the Group
operates, with decisions on future funding and
capital allocations focused on this period. In
this context, the long-term viability assessment
has been based on a three-year time frame,
covering the period to 30 September 2027. On
this basis the Directors have determined that
three years was the most appropriate period
for assessing the Group’s prospects.
Forecasts and prospects
The Group’s prospects have been
assessed mainly with reference to the
Group’s strategic planning and associated
long-range financial forecast. This
incorporates a detailed bottom-up
budget for each part of the business.
The budgeting and planning process
is thorough and includes input from
department managers, as well as the
Leadership Team.
The Directors participate in strategic
planning and review the detailed bottom-
up budgets. The outputs from this
process include full financial forecasts of
revenue, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted and
statutory earnings, cash flow, working
capital and net debt. The Directors
consider that the planning process and
monthly forecast updates provide a
sound underpinning to management’s
expectations of the Group’s prospects.
Assessing the Group’s viability
The viability of the Group has been
assessed, taking into account the current
financial position, including external
funding for the Group in place over the
assessment period, and the impact of
certain scenarios arising from the
principal risks, which have the greatest
potential impact on viability in that period.
A number of scenarios have been
modelled, considered severe but
plausible, that encompass these identified
risks. Whilst each of the risks for the
Group outlined on pages 37 to 40 has a
potential impact and has been considered
as part of the assessment, only those that
represent severe but plausible scenarios
were selected for modelling.
For each scenario, the modelling captured the
impact on key measures of profitability, cash
flow, liquidity and debt covenant headroom.
The scenarios have been run both individually
and combined (the combination of all downside
scenarios occurring at once is considered to be
remote). The scenarios are hypothetical and
purposefully severe with the aim of creating
outcomes that have the ability to threaten the
viability of the Group. The Group has multiple
control measures in place to prevent and
mitigate the scenarios from taking place.
Although each of the downside (and the
combined) scenarios result in increased
leverage, they all result in headroom over
the current and expected bank facilities and
existing covenants at all testing points, even
where none of the mitigating actions have been
applied such as reducing discretionary capital
and operating expenditure.
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41
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Viability Statement
continued
Viability statement
Based on these severe but plausible scenarios the Directors confirm that they have a reasonable
expectation that the Group will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall
due over the three-year period to 30 September 2027.
Downside scenario
Associated principal risks
Description
Significant reduction in
marketplace revenue due
to THV reduction
IT infrastructure – stability and
business continuity of auction
platforms
IT infrastructure – inability to keep pace
with innovation and changes
Competition
Economic and geo-political uncertainty
This scenario assumes an
absolute reduction in THV of 9%
versus the base case over the
three-year period.
Significant reduction in
marketplace revenue due
to conversion rate decline
IT infrastructure – stability and
business continuity of auction
platforms
IT infrastructure – inability to keep pace
with innovation and changes
Cyber threat and data security
Competition
Economic and geo-political uncertainty
This scenario assumes an
absolute reduction in the
Group’s conversion rate of 14%
over the three-year period.
Lower revenue growth
from value-added
services across the Group
IT infrastructure – inability to keep pace
with innovation and changes
Failure to deliver expected benefits
from acquisitions and/or integrate the
business into the Group effectively
This scenario assumes that
the revenue from value-added
services growth is reduced by
50% versus the base case on
less mature revenue streams in
FY25 and FY26 due to delays in
the roll out, in addition to a 25%
reduction in FY26 on the more
mature revenue streams.
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Financial Statements
Further Information
42
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Engaging with our
stakeholders is integral
to the Board’s decision-
making and achievement
of our strategy and helps
us better understand the
impact of our decisions
on all our stakeholders.
The principal stakeholders identified by the
Board are set out in the Business Model section
of the Strategic Report on pages 20 to 21.
During FY24 we identified priority stakeholder
groups and engaged with them. The following
pages include a summary of those priority
stakeholders and how we have engaged with
them and the outputs of that engagement
during the financial year. Metrics such as
surveys and consultations are used to enable
the Board to measure its engagement with
stakeholders and to track the outcomes of
that engagement.
Stakeholder
Engagement
and Section 172
Statement
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Further Information
43
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Stakeholder Engagement and Section 172 Statement
continued
Our people are our most valuable resource
and asset. Ensuring that we aract, nurture
and retain our people and focus them on
achieving our strategy is key to ATG’s success.
The Board is acutely aware that the interests
of our people should be considered when
making decisions that may impact them
and the wider business.
Engagement
We conducted an annual employee engagement
survey as well as a pulse survey in FY24.
The surveys were anonymous to encourage
employees to be candid in their responses.
Focus groups were established to look at
particular topics arising from the survey. Output
from the survey and focus groups is regularly
provided to the Board by the CEO.
We regularly bring together all our people across
all our locations at our “All Hands” sessions so
that our Senior Management Team can bring
everyone up to speed with our latest projects,
the progress towards our strategy and our
recent business performance.
Tamsin Todd, the Board’s designated Director
for workforce engagement, conducted formal
engagement sessions with representatives of
the Group’s employees twice during the year.
Key themes included professional development
to ensure employees had opportunities to
develop and developing efficient ways of
working to improve work/ life balance. Outputs
from the sessions were reported to the Board,
with following actions delegated to Board
Committees, the CEO and Senior Management
Team. Tamsin Todd also held regular meetings
with the Chief People Officer to monitor
progress on implementing actions arising
from the engagement sessions.
Further details on our engagement with our people
can be found in Our people and community on
pages 72 to 75.
Board engagement and consideration
in decision-making
The results of the FY24 employee engagement
and pulse surveys were presented to the Board
along with progress made against our People
strategy. Outcomes from the surveys included
several new initiatives to drive employee
development through providing the right
environment for employees to grow their
career including a new careers hub. The Board
welcomed continued strong participation and
improving engagement rate in the latest
pulse survey.
The Board regularly discussed the integration
of EstateSales.NET employees following the
acquisition in FY23.
Our people
What is important to them
Providing a diverse, equitable and inclusive
workplace.
Strong workplace culture and values.
Opportunities to develop.
Fair reward, recognition and incentive structure.
Long-term sustainable success.
Work/life balance.
Link to strategic growth drivers
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Financial Statements
Further Information
44
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
We pursue a true “shared success” business
model, whereby we grow if our auctioneer
customers earn revenue through using our
services. We have an over 50-year history
of working in partnership with the
auction industry.
We constantly strive to improve the
auctioneer experience.
Engagement
We spend as much time as possible engaging
with, and learning from, our customers. We
also undertake targeted research to better
understand specific issues. The CEO hosted
direct calls with a number of auctioneers to
get direct feedback on ATG and our services.
We provide structured and rigorous account
management combined with a high level of
support before, during and after auctions.
The results of this engagement are reported
to the Board via the CEO.
Members of the Senior Management Team
attended industry conferences in Europe
and North America to share latest updates
on ATG’s products and services as well as to
hear auctioneer feedback.
Board engagement and consideration
in decision-making
The Board regularly challenges management on
products and services for auctioneers including
the roll out of atgPay, atgShip, atgXL and atgAMP.
During FY24, members of the Senior Management
Team responsible for atgPay, atgShip, atgXL and
atgAMP presented updates to the Board on
progress and key milestones. The Board used this
information to reach decisions on the allocation
of resources in key operational teams targeted
with the roll out of these services.
The CEO provides a platform stability dashboard
at every Board meeting for the Board to review
infrastructure stability and monitor progress in
implementing improvements.
The Audit Committee receives regular updates
on the implementation of policies with regards
to prohibited items on our marketplaces and
compliance team monitoring adherence to
these restrictions.
Customers
(Auctioneers)
What is important to them
Access to a global pool of online bidders.
Stability and reliability of platforms.
Improvements in auction house operating
efficiency.
The ability to cross-list by running timed
auctions across ATG marketplaces and an atg
white label.
Marketing solutions and analytical tools.
Integrated payments and shipping solutions.
Link to strategic growth drivers
Stakeholder Engagement and Section 172 Statement
continued
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Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
45
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Strong and sustainable relationships are
critical to the Group’s success.
Engagement
We work with a range of suppliers, big and
small, to ensure we receive the best services
appropriate for our business.
The Chief Technology Officer ensures that his
team continually engages with key outsourcing
partners to discuss operational performance
and the stability of our platforms. The outcome
of this engagement is reported to the Board.
Board engagement and consideration
in decision-making
The Board’s commitment to ensure that slavery
and human trafficking have no place in any part
of our business or our supply chain is detailed
in our Modern Slavery Statement published
on the Group’s website and approved by the
Board on an annual basis. This is taken into
account by the Board when shaping the Group’s
strategic priorities, for example in decisions
determining the jurisdictions in which we
establish operations.
The Board receives regular updates on the
supply chain, overseeing engagement in
business relationships with established and
reputable business partners/clients, with
whom we aim to build long-term partnerships.
The Audit Committee, as part of its oversight
of risk management systems, receives updates
from management on, and commissions internal
audit reviews into, the robustness of technology
service providers.
The Board also has oversight of our systems of
control, such as rigorous supplier onboarding,
which includes information security and data
protection due diligence, as well as checks
on financial viability and sanctions, and fair
contractual terms. The Board considers the
global footprint of our capacity to ensure that
there is no over-reliance on any single provider.
The Board has oversight of ATG’s payment
practices and supports the payment of all our
suppliers promptly and in accordance with their
payment terms.
Suppliers and
partners
What is important to them
Long-term collaborative relationships providing
growth opportunities.
Responsible supply chain assurance and ethical
procurement (including environment, modern
slavery and broader human rights).
Fair terms and conditions and prompt payment.
Link to strategic growth drivers
We want bidders to be satisfied with
their bidding experience. Positive bidder
experience drives consumer acquisition.
Engagement
We receive bidder feedback for new marketing
initiatives and product feature requests.
Targeted research is conducted to better
understand specific issues.
Email support is available on all marketplaces
and live chat is available on the majority.
Board engagement and consideration
in decision-making
The Board has supported the investment into
improving the bidder experience, including
through providing strategic input into the roll
out of atgPay, the design and implementation
of atgShip and the launch of atgXL.
The Board provided strategic and experience-
based input into the investment into search
engine optimisation, including through updated
taxonomy and site navigations.
The CEO provides a platform stability dashboard
at every Board meeting, for the Board to review
infrastructure stability and monitor progress in
implementing improvements.
Consumers
(Bidders)
What is important to them
A convenient, trusted way to discover a wide
range of specialised and unique curated items.
A memorable, easy and enjoyable experience.
A secure, reliable and robust user experience.
Greater access to a wide range of unique
secondary goods.
Link to strategic growth drivers
Stakeholder Engagement and Section 172 Statement
continued
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Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Stakeholder Engagement and Section 172 Statement
continued
Environmental sustainability is at the heart
of our operations, with our online auction
marketplaces ensuring that millions of items
are resold for re-use or repurpose each year.
We strive to minimise our environmental
impact whilst also providing a channel of
green commerce by facilitating the sale of
used goods.
The Group’s purpose informs our business
strategy and commitment to being a
supportive and trusted partner to the
industry, our people and our communities.
Engagement
The ESG Working Committee continued to work
as a forum for employees to make an impact on
material ESG issues.
Employee charitable giving via Payroll
Giving is enabled as a simple way for our
people to support causes close to them with
tax-free giving.
We facilitate charity auctions on our
marketplaces, waiving our fees to ensure that
all proceeds go to the charities. In the past
12 months, charity auctions hosted on our
marketplaces have raised over $8.0m (FY23:
$5.0m) for good causes.
We support the British Antique Dealers’
Association (“BADA”) in the UK and the National
Auctioneers’ Association (“NAA”) and the
International Auctioneers’ Association (“IAA”)
in North America.
Employees participated in community events
including employees at our Lehi office donating
time to the Utah food bank.
Board engagement and consideration
in decision-making
The Board and the Sustainability and ESG
Committee reviewed, approved or endorsed
outcomes, including the approval of our near-
term science-based emissions reduction targets
by the Science Based Targets initiative (“SBTi”)
and our Net Zero targets.
The Remuneration Committee has agreed to
continue the ESG performance metric within
the Executive Directors’ incentive plan for FY25.
Further details on our engagement with the
community and environment can be found
in our Sustainability Report from page 50.
Environment and
the community
What is important to them
Diversity, equity and inclusion.
Playing a positive role in society in all the
countries where we operate.
The environmental impact of our business and
products, including our energy usage, carbon
emissions and broader impact on climate.
Link to strategic growth drivers
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Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
We want to ensure that investors understand
our business, our strategy and the
environment within which we work, and
that investors’ issues and concerns are
understood and considered by the Board
and Senior Management Team.
We invest to drive long-term sustainable
value for our shareholders.
Engagement
A comprehensive investor engagement
programme was run by the Director of Investor
Relations including regular Executive Director
meetings via calls, conferences and roadshows.
The Chair and Senior Independent Director
also held meetings with major and prospective
shareholders, including after the change in the
Chair position during the year.
Over 350 investor and analyst meetings were
hosted in FY24.
Investors and analysts were invited to physically
and virtually attend our results announcements,
which included a dedicated question and
answer section. All investor announcements are
available on our website.
The frequency of reporting was increased
during the year with additional scheduled
trading updates.
The Group engaged with investors during the
year for feedback on APMs.
All Directors attended the AGM and were
available to speak to shareholders in person.
Over 92% of our issued share capital was voted
at the AGM in January 2024, with the majority of
resolutions receiving over 95% support.
We continue to work closely with TA Associates,
a major shareholder. The formalities of this
relationship are detailed in the Relationship
Agreement on page 129.
Board engagement and consideration
in decision-making
The Board receives updates at every Board
meeting on investor sentiment, key areas of
investor focus, analyst views, share price and
movements in the share register.
The Board received ad hoc updates including
on analyst research, estimate changes, market
news and share price movements.
Following direct engagement with investors, the
Chair and Senior Independent Director provided
updates on investors’ priorities to the Board,
including on the pace of our investment.
The Board oversaw the execution against our
capital allocation priorities, including investment
to support organic growth opportunities and the
reduction in our debt position.
The Board reviews and approves material
communications to investors, such as
results announcements.
Shareholders
What is important to them
Value creation and delivery of the Company
strategy.
Financial performance of the business,
presented in a fair, balanced and
understandable way.
Strategy and operational performance of the
Group and clear articulation and effective
management of risks.
Governance standards and structures including
reasonable remuneration practices.
Sustainability and the environmental and ethical
impact of the Group.
Diversity in the Board and Senior Management
Team.
Link to strategic growth drivers
Stakeholder Engagement and Section 172 Statement
continued
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
48
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Set out below are examples of how the Directors had regard to the matters set out in Section
172 (1) (a) to (f) when discharging their Section 172 duty, and the effect on our stakeholders.
Stakeholder Engagement and Section 172 Statement
continued
In addition to the information detailed on pages 43 to 48, the table below details the location
of further information throughout this Annual Report as to how the Directors consider their
responsibilities under Section 172(1) of the Act.
Responsibility
Report
Page
Consequences of decision-making
Chair’s Statement
Chief Executive Officer’s Statement
Six Strategic Growth Drivers
Key Performance Indicators
Chief Financial Officer’s Review
Principal Risks and Uncertainties
Corporate Governance Report
Audit Committee Report
Remuneration Committee Report
08
10
23
28
30
37
81
93
107
Our employees
Chair’s Statement
Chief Executive Officer’s Statement
Business Model
Principal Risks and Uncertainties
Sustainability Report
Corporate Governance Report
Nomination Committee Report
Remuneration Committee Report
08
10
20
37
50
81
102
107
Fostering of business relationships
with suppliers, customers and others
Purpose
Investment Case
Chair’s Statement
Chief Executive Officer’s Statement
Business Model
Six Strategic Growth Drivers
Key Performance Indicators
Sustainability Report
01
09
08
10
20
23
28
50
The Company’s desirability to maintain
a reputation for high standards
Purpose
Chair’s Statement
Chief Executive Officer’s Statement
Sustainability Report
Corporate Governance Report
01
08
10
50
81
The need to act fairly as between members
of the Company
Chair’s Statement
Chief Executive Officer’s Statement
Business Model
Stakeholder Engagement Report
Corporate Governance Report
Remuneration Committee Report
08
10
20
43
81
107
Key decisions taken
Stakeholders
considered
Consolidation of
internal systems
During the reporting period, the Board was presented with a
number of decisions and recommendations as to whether to
consolidate key internal systems and instances across different
entities in the Group, including Finance, HR and Account
Management. Up until that point, the instances had not been
integrated which created multiple platforms and data sources,
manual workarounds and duplicate licensing.
The proposals under consideration were to migrate to more
efficient and fewer providers. The Board approved the
proposals, enabling cost savings and operational efficiencies.
People
Shareholders
Customers
Consumers
Consolidation of
tech workforce
The Board was presented with the decision as to whether to
establish a technology hub overseas. The Board discussed
four options and having noted the availability of high-quality
engineers at a cost that allowed the Company to add capacity
more quickly and cost effectively, the Board approved the
proposal to open a new international office in Guadalajara,
Mexico. The office opened in January 2024.
People
Shareholders
Environment
and the
community
Suppliers
Section 172 (1) Statement
Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006
requires Directors to act in a way that promotes
the success of the Company for the benefit of
shareholders as a whole, whilst having regard
to the interests of its other stakeholders.
Details of the Company’s key stakeholders,
what’s important to them and how we have
engaged are set out on pages 43 to 48 above.
The Board considers its duties under Section
172 (1) (a) to (f) in all its discussions and
decision-making and reference to Section 172(1)
and the duty to consider stakeholder interests
is highlighted at each Board meeting.
In taking decisions, the Directors consider
the balance of interests of the stakeholders
who might be affected, details of which are
recorded in the Board minutes. The Board
acknowledges that not every decision made
will necessarily result in a positive outcome for
all of our stakeholders. However, by considering
the Group’s purpose and values together with
its strategic priorities, the Board aims to make
sure its decisions are consistent. In assessing
the composition of the Board, the Chair and
the Nomination Committee ensure that the
skills and experience of the Board match the
interests of our principal stakeholders.
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
49
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Sustainability Report
Sustainability is at the
heart of our business
Richard Lewis
COO and Sustainability
and ESG Committee
Chair
Facilitating the circular economy is imperative for
a sustainable future. We are committed to playing
an important role to drive sustainability, with our
online auction marketplaces providing an efficient
channel of “re-commerce” for second-hand goods.
Introduction from the Chair of the
Sustainability and ESG Commiee
The Group’s sustainability strategy is
underpinned by our purpose: to unlock the
value of the secondary goods market and to
facilitate the growth of the circular economy.
Our online auction marketplaces ensure that
every year millions of pre-owned items are
resold to new buyers, extending their lifetime
value, preventing waste and omitting the
need for the carbon-intensive manufacture
of new items.
We are committed to operating as a
responsible and a sustainable business and
our shared success model ensures that our
ambitions are aligned with those of our
auctioneer partners. We have made good
progress on our sustainability strategy in
FY24, including against the key issues
highlighted in our materiality assessment
completed at the end of FY23. We are proud
that our sustainability credentials have been
recognised through ATG’s inclusion in the
FTSE4Good Index for a second year running
as well as having our long-term target to be
Net Zero by 2040 validated and approved by
the Science Based Targets initiative (“SBTi”).
50
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
Sustainability Report
continued
Governance of ESG
and sustainability
The Board has overall responsibility for the
Group’s sustainability and ESG strategy. The
Audit Committee reports climate risks and
opportunities annually to the Board, enabling
the Board to oversee progress on sustainability
goals and ensure that climate-related issues
are addressed in alignment with the Group’s
strategic priorities.
The Sustainability and ESG Committee (“SEC”)
meets twice per year and reports at least
annually to the Audit Committee, ensuring
climate-related and other ESG issues are
incorporated into our business strategy,
organisational risk management and financial
planning and reporting. The SEC is chaired by
Richard Lewis, and its members include the
Chief Financial Officer, Chief People Officer,
Chair of the Audit Committee, Company
Secretary and representatives from finance,
risk and internal audit and investor relations. In
FY24, Richard Lewis also presented directly to
the Board providing an update on ESG matters.
The ESG Working Committee is led by the
Chair of the SEC and comprises passionate
individuals who are keen to help improve
employee awareness of sustainability and
drive change for the business. The ESG Working
Committee meets monthly and reports into
the SEC.
From FY24, the Remuneration Committee
(and following Board approval) has set
remuneration targets for the Executive
Directors which include an element linked
to the Group achieving its carbon emission
reduction targets.
The Nomination Committee is committed to
maintaining a Board with a diverse set of skills,
experiences and backgrounds.
Audit Commiee
Sustainability and ESG Commiee
ESG Working Commiee
Remuneration Commiee
Nomination Commiee
Tamsin Todd
Committee Chair
Chair
Sco Forbes
Board members
John-Paul Savant
Tom Hargreaves
Suzanne Baxter
Pauline Reader
Morgan Seigler
Tamsin Todd
Agree the ESG performance
metric within the Executive
Directors’ incentive plan.
Read more – page 107
Suzanne Baxter
Committee Chair
Oversees the SEC
and responsible for
identifying and managing
climate-related risks.
Read more – page 93
Richard Lewis
Committee Chair
Oversees governance of ESG
and sustainability strategy
including reporting
requirements.
Richard Lewis
Committee Chair
Provides link between
employees and management
to support implementation
of ESG strategy and provide
feedback.
Sco Forbes
Committee Chair
Committed to ensuring
the Board comprises
the right balance of skills,
knowledge, diversity
and experience
Read more – page 102
Board Oversight
(at 30 Sep 24)
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
51
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Sustainability Report
continued
Our sustainability strategy
Materiality assessment
Key:
1
Waste management
and water use
2
Packaging and plastic
3
Responsible tax strategy
4
Supply chain management
5
Energy management
6
Human rights
7
Health and safety
8
Communities and partnerships
9
Climate change and emissions
10
CEO remuneration
11
Employment practices
and labour management
12
KPIs
13
Innovative and efficient services
14
Diversity and inclusion
15
Talent and workforce development
16
Ethical conduct and integrity
17
Product quality and safety
18
Cyber security
Impact on ATG
Influence on stakeholders
16
4
3
6
7
8
11
14
15
1
2
5
9
13
Environmental
Social
Governance
Sustainability pillars
Material issues
Priorities
Our environment
9
13
Minimise our own environmental impact.
Invest to create a seamless buying and selling
experience in online auctions in order to further
accelerate the circular economy.
Our people and
community
15
18
Operate secure and trusted technology,
safeguarding data against security breaches
and cyber crime.
Ensure our people feel they belong and can
reach their full potential.
Recruit, retain and develop diverse teams with
an engaged and inclusive culture.
Our governance
16
17
Operate a trusted and responsible marketplace
platform and ensure products sold adhere to
their specification and quality.
Operate within a strong governance framework
and uphold the values of good corporate
governance and risk management and also to
behave ethically and with integrity at all times.
The Board is focused on understanding and addressing the issues that matter most to
stakeholders, as identified in our FY23 materiality assessment which was conducted by external
consultants. In FY24 we have developed our ESG strategy based on these results, aiming to ensure
there is a strong link between the sustainability/ESG key issues and our strategic drivers. The
graph below shows the results of the double materiality assessment in FY23, highlighting the
matters of most interest to stakeholders and their importance to the business.
18
10
12
17
Our environment
Read more on page 56
Our people and
community
Read more
on page 72
Our governance
Read more
on page 76
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
52
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Sustainability Report
continued
Progress against material issues
Key issue
Why the issue is important to ATG
Link to strategic
growth driver
Progress in FY24
Plans for FY25
Cyber data security
protection
18
Ensuring the safe collection, retention and
use of confidential data of our auctioneers,
bidders and employees, and safeguarding
this data against security breaches and
cybercrime is a cornerstone of our business
and financial performance.
No reportable data breaches or security events.
Updated our cyber security policy for
latest National Institute of Standards and
Technology Cyber Security Framework
(“NIST CSF”).
Completed an external audit against the
NIST CSF framework with strong results.
Continue to consolidate and standardise
cyber security solutions.
Enhance disaster recovery processes
to improve recovery times.
Maintain data protection framework
and controls.
Ethical conduct
and integrity
16
Managing our business with integrity in an
honest, ethical and responsible manner is
key to ensuring we maintain our strong
reputation and protect future
revenue-generating opportunities.
Completed first externally facilitated Board
effectiveness review.
Successful transition to EY as external auditor.
Zero whistleblowing reports made.
Publish new supplier principles.
Recruit and appoint new Non-Executive
Directors.
Product quality
and safety
17
Although we have no direct responsibility for
the products sold, their specification or
quality, adherence to their specifications is
crucial to protect our reputation and future
revenue-generating opportunities.
New services including atgXL and atgShip
were fully tested before roll out.
Reviewed and updated sensitive items policy.
Ensure all new products and services are
fully tested before roll out.
Continue to monitor and review sensitive
items and policy.
Talent and workforce
development
15
Recruiting and retaining high-performing
talent and ensuring our people feel they
belong and can reach their full potential are
essential to ensure our business maintains
competitiveness and can innovate.
Implementation of atgPeople providing
a space for employees to connect with
each other.
Assembled first Diversity, Equity and
Inclusion Working Group.
New ATG Academy with 2,215 hours of
training available.
New Career Hub to help employees and
managers build meaningful careers at ATG.
Exploration of cohort development
programs for Early, Rising and Senior Talent.
We recognise the pivotal role we can play in facilitating the circular economy.
Therefore alongside the top four priority focus areas identified from the materiality assessment, we continue to prioritize climate action and reducing our own carbon emissions.
Carbon emissions
9
We recognise that the changing climate
could impact all our stakeholders.
Although we have a relatively small carbon
footprint, we aim to minimise our own
environmental impact.
Our long-term target to be Net Zero by 2040
has been validated and approved by the
Science Based Targets initiative (“SBTi”).
Reduced Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 35%
in FY24.
Improve the data quality available for some
of the more difficult to measure categories
within Scope 3, which assists us in targeting
the right areas to further reduce our
emissions.
Innovative and
efficient services
13
Our marketplaces play a pivotal role in
facilitating the circular economy. We invest
to improve the online auction experience.
>2m tonnes carbon saved versus
manufacturing of 15 popular items.
Roll out of atgPay and atgShip to make it
even easier to transact at online auctions.
Continue to invest in products and services
to make it easier to buy and sell at online
auctions.
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
53
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
ATG’s cyber security policies
and procedures
The Information Security team serves as
the intermediator between the information
security programme (“ISMS”) and the
organisation, with oversight by the CTO.
The team is responsible for performing
information security operations and
monitoring activities.
All ISMS policies and procedures are
updated, reviewed and approved annually
by our Information Security Steering
Committee (“ISSC”) which is composed of
the Head of Information Security, Group
Data Protection Officer (“DPO”), and Group
Head of Risk and Internal Audit. The ISSC
is also responsible for recommending
additions/removals to the ISMS. Policy
and procedures cover a full range of
cyber security and data protection areas.
We have a proactive awareness programme
to educate all employees on cyber security
risks with mandatory training annually for
all staff.
Data protection policies apply to 100%
of Group operations.
Our incident response plan and major
incident response simulations are carried
out periodically with custom response
playbooks drafted and refined yearly.
All employee accounts are protected by
multi-factor authentication (MFA), with
geolocation restrictions for sensitive
access groups.
How we strengthened cyber security
in FY24
Updated our cybersecurity policy to
follow the latest NIST CSF 2.0 framework,
including specific updates for cloud
security, high-risk travel, and protecting
website cookie data.
Conducted an external audit based on
the NIST framework with results showing
maturity metrics higher than comparable
sized organisations in our peer group.
Investments made in new advanced
identity protection platform and a
security monitoring solution.
Migrated major segments of the
marketplace platforms to container-based
systems and began feature consolidation.
Security training and awareness
programme was rolled out to cover 100%
of ATG employees.
Consolidated all user-identities and email
solutions across all divisions of the Group.
Implemented quarterly committee
meetings and provided regular
presentations to the Board including
risk assessments for the organisation.
Refreshed disaster recovery procedures with
annual updates to policies and procedures,
with routine major component recovery and
resilience scenario-based testing.
What are our priorities for FY25?
We had no reportable security events in FY24
but as the risks of cyber attacks continue and
evolve we must continue to focus on this
area. We have a number of priorities for FY25
which include:
Consolidation of web/application firewalls
for our marketplaces to standardize a
best-in-class solution and streamline
event monitoring.
Continue to enhance disaster recovery
processes to expand into secondary
systems and design recovery solutions to
iterate and improve upon recovery times.
Improve existing application security
scanning to improve event correlation
and add additional context awareness
to vulnerability assessments.
Cyber security
“Ensuring the safe
collection, retention
and use of confidential
data of our auctioneers,
bidders, and employees,
and safeguarding this data
against security breaches
and cybercrime, is
fundamental to
our business.”
Sustainability in focus:
Cyber security and data
protection
As one of our most material risks, we have
focused on strengthening our policies and
procedures in this area during FY24.
Sustainability Report
continued
54
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
ATG’s data security policies
and procedures
Our approach to data protection is driven
by UK GDPR, UK Data Protection Act, and
UK Privacy and Electronic Communications,
overlaid with international legislation
including North American and EU
obligations.
A culture of effective data protection
practices is embedded across the
organisation, governed by the Board
and required from all employees.
Our independent DPO is actively engaged
across all of our business functions
supporting data protection by design
and by default.
Data protection policies and procedures are
dovetailed with security and wider risk and
compliance controls.
Enhanced data protection solutions are
utilised and system vulnerability tests are
run continuously across the ATG networks,
systems, cloud accounts, infrastructure
and data components.
All staff are required to engage in annual
data protection training, supplemented by
awareness communications.
Data subject requests are managed through
dedicated operational processes with
oversight from our DPO.
How we strengthened data protection
in FY24
Refreshed data privacy notices to further
improve transparency of processing.
Mandated data protection training for all
current and new staff.
Enhanced data protection and information
security policies.
Monitored legal changes across relevant
geographical territories.
No reportable data breaches or security
events.
What are our priorities for FY25?
We had no reportable data breaches in FY24
but we must continue to focus on this area.
We have a number of priorities for FY25
which include:
Continuing to strengthen and evolve our
data protection framework and controls.
Refreshing and enhancing our staff training.
Data protection
Sustainability Report
continued
55
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
Our environment
Our roadmap to Net Zero by
2040
In FY24, we have had our commitment to
achieve Net Zero by 2040 validated by the
Science Based Targets initiative (“SBTi”),
in line with the Paris Agreement’s goal of
limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C
above pre-industrial levels.
This means reducing our Scope 1-3
emissions by at least 90% and then using
carbon removal initiatives to neutralise any
limited emissions that can not be eliminated.
Details of our progress against this 2040
target can be found on page 69.
Task Force on Climate-related
Financial Disclosures (“TCFD”)
We have set out in this section our TCFD
disclosures, consistent with the four framework
pillars and 11 recommended disclosures entitled
“Implementing the Recommendations of the
Task Force on Climate-related Financial
Disclosures”, published in October 2021 by the
TCFD. We have outlined how we understand and
manage the risks and opportunities associated
with climate change for the Group across the
four pillars of TCFD; governance, strategy, risk
management and metrics and targets.
Compliance statement
At the time of reporting, in accordance with
the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”)
Listing Rule 14.3.27R on climate-related
disclosures, the Group’s climate-related
financial disclosures are consistent with
the TCFD recommendations and supporting
recommended disclosures – the table on
page 57 shows where the disclosures can
be found in this report.
We understand the potential effects of climate change
on all of our stakeholders. Despite our relatively low
environmental footprint, we are committed to reducing
our own impact. At the same time, we understand the
crucial part we can serve in promoting a sustainable
circular economy and reducing the carbon emissions
associated with the manufacturing of new items.
Sustainability Report
continued
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
56
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
TCFD compliance index
TCFD framework
pillars
Recommended disclosures
FY24
compliance
Our response
Governance
a) Describe the Board’s oversight of climate-related risks
and opportunities
b) Describe management’s role in assessing and managing
climate-related risks and opportunities
Full
We have incorporated climate-related governance across all levels of our governance
structure and encourage accountability for climate-related risks and opportunities throughout
the business.
Details can be found in the ‘Governance’ section on page 81.
The Group’s governance structure is presented on page 51.
Strategy
a) Describe the climate-related risks and opportunities
the organisation has identified over the short, medium
and long term
b) Describe the impact of climate-related risks and
opportunities on the organisation’s businesses, strategy and
financial planning
c) Describe the resilience of the organisation’s strategy, taking
into consideration different climate scenarios, including a 2°C
or lower scenario
Full
We have undertaken a climate scenario analysis which assessed physical and transition
climate-related risks and opportunities under three climate scenarios utilising quantitative
data from the Network for Greening the Financial System (“NGFS”).
The scenario analysis has supported our understanding of our climate-related risks and
opportunities across the Group, how they might impact our business, and consideration
of how they impact our strategy and financial planning.
Details of our climate scenario analysis can be found on page 60.
Details of our climate-related risks and opportunities can be found on pages 61 to 63.
Risk management
a) Describe the organisation’s processes for identifying and
assessing climate-related risks
b) Describe the organisation’s processes for managing
climate-related risks
c) Describe how processes for identifying, assessing and
managing climate-related risks are integrated into the
organisation’s overall risk management
Full
We have a well-established risk management framework that follows the Three Lines of
Defence model. The Group Head of Risk and Internal Audit manages our Group risk register
which includes climate-related risks, following a materiality-based approach.
Alongside our wider risk management approach, to support the identification of climate-related
risks, we have undertaken a climate scenario analysis which assessed physical and transition
climate-related risks under three climate scenarios.
Our Group Head of Risk and Internal Audit is a member of the Sustainability and ESG Committee
which supports the identification, assessment and management of climate-related risks into our
overall risk management approach.
Details of our overall approach to risk management can be found on pages 35 to 36.
Details of our climate scenario analysis can be found on page 60.
Details of our ESG governance structure can be found on page 51.
Metrics and targets
a) Disclose the metrics used by the organisation to assess
climate-related risks and opportunities in line with its
strategy and risk management process
b) Disclose Scope 1, Scope 2, and, if appropriate, Scope 3
greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions, and the related risks
c) Describe the targets used by the organisation to manage
climate-related risks and opportunities and performance
against targets.
Full
We have had our near-term (2030) and long-term Net Zero (2040) emissions reductions targets
formally validated and approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (“SBTi”). We are actively
monitoring our progress against these targets, as demonstrated in our transition plan on page 69.
Details of our Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 GHG emissions can be found on page 66.
Details of our climate-related targets can be found on page 69.
Details of emissions-based remuneration targets for our Executive Directors can be found on
page 108.
Sustainability Report
continued
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
57
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Sustainability Report
continued
TCFD: Governance
We have integrated climate governance into our existing governance processes,
embedding responsibility for climate-related risks throughout our business. Our
Board is clearly committed to fulfilling our environmental promises and ensuring
accountability across the organisation.
How we govern our impact on
the environment and response
to climate change
Board
The Board has overall responsibility for the
Group’s climate-related issues. Actions taken
by the Board in FY24 include approving ATG’s
Net Zero target of 2040 and the review and
approval of ESG-related Group policies, such
as our publicly available Environmental Policy.
Audit Commiee
The Audit Committee is responsible for
identifying and managing climate-related risks
and opportunities. The Audit Committee meets
four times per year and reports annually to
the Board, providing the Board with oversight
of climate-related risks and opportunities as
well as progress against goals and targets for
addressing climate-related issues.
Further details can be found in the Audit
Committee report on pages 93 to 101.
Sustainability and ESG Commiee
The Sustainability and ESG Committee
(“SEC”) focuses on climate-related risks and
opportunities, the setting, measurement and
monitoring of near-term and long-term carbon
reduction targets, strategies and compliance
with TCFD. The SEC works closely with external
advisers to ensure they remain up to date with
the latest developments and guidance on TCFD
requirements. The SEC provides updates to the
Audit Committee on the latest developments
in climate change regulations and activities
undertaken during the year by the business,
as well as feedback from investors on ESG
and climate-related matters.
The SEC meets twice per year and reports into
the Audit Committee.
Remuneration Commiee
The Remuneration Committee sets
remuneration targets for the Executive
Directors which include an element linked
to the Group achieving its carbon emissions
reduction targets. The Remuneration
Committee meets four times per year and
reports into the Board. Further details can be
found in the Remuneration Committee report
on pages 107 to 125.
ESG Working Commiee
Established in FY23, the ESG Working
Committee is led by the Chief Operating
Officer. The ESG Working Committee comprises
passionate individuals who are keen to help
improve employee awareness of sustainability
and drive impactful changes for the business.
The ESG Working Committee meets monthly
with climate change as a standing agenda item,
and reports into the SEC. The ESG Working
Committee has been instrumental in climate
change projects across the Group, including:
Agreeing to reduce heating to 21.5°C in the
winter and cooling to 23°C in the summer;
Auditing office facilities for energy metering,
HVAC controls, LED lighting and use of
appliances;
Ensuring all offices have LED lighting;
Replacing current laptop docking stations and
screens with the latest equipment;
Ensuring all offices turn off HVAC and
appliances out of hours, days when staff are
not working in the office and weekends; and
Increasing the number of print editions of the
Gazette to be replaced by digital editions to
three in FY24.
Employees are always encouraged to get
involved with the ESG Working Committee,
supporting the ongoing projects and making
suggestions to further reduce our emissions.
Board
Audit
Commiee
Sustainability and
ESG Commiee
Remuneration
Commiee
ESG Working
Commiee
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Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
58
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
As an online technology
platform, our own carbon
emissions are relatively low
in terms of our Scope 1 and
2 emissions although we
are committed to reducing
these, as evidenced by our
commitment to achieving
Net Zero by 2024.
However, our strategy is to
also support and influence
consumer behaviour
through facilitating the
circular economy and
encouraging more
auctions to happen online.
Sustainability Report
continued
TCFD: Strategy
Net Zero
2040
In FY24 our commitment to
achieve Net Zero by 2040 was
validated by the Science
Based Targets initiative
(“SBTi”), in line with the Paris
Agreement’s goal of limiting
global temperature rise to 1.5°C
above pre-industrial levels.
How we will achieve this
We are already making good progress on
achieving our emissions reduction targets
(see page 69).
We will continue to work on key projects to
reduce our Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions,
such as the closure of the Omaha office
in FY24 which is outlined in our case study
on page 65.
Within our Scope 3 emissions, purchased
goods and services contribute a significant
portion of our emissions. Here we are
seeking to optimise our cloud resource
usage and review our current cloud
providers’ sustainability policies, looking
to work with those that have commitments
to 100% renewable energy.
Facilitating the
circular economy
We are committed to playing an
important role within the circular
economy, with our online
auction marketplaces providing
a channel of “re-commerce” for
second-hand goods.
Getting auctions
online
Our online auction platform
allows buyers and sellers
to connect from anywhere,
eliminating the carbon
footprint associated with
long-distance travel and large,
in-person auction events.
How we will achieve this
We are continuously enhancing our
marketplace infrastructure to ensure it
is easy and efficient for users to list, sell,
and purchase second-hand items.
By fostering a thriving ecosystem for
re-commerce, we support sustainable
consumer practices while also educating
our users on the environmental benefits
of buying second-hand.
This will further contribute to reducing
emissions associated with the production
and disposal of new products.
How we will achieve this
We will continue to invest in our digital
infrastructure to improve the online auction
experience, ensuring a seamless process
for both buyers and sellers.
By enhancing our technology and expanding
our reach, we can encourage more users
to engage with auctions virtually, further
reducing the carbon impact of our
operations and supporting the broader
shift towards a more sustainable and
digital future.
1
2
3
59
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
Sustainability Report
continued
Climate-related risks and opportunities
We incorporate climate resilience into our business strategy through assessing and identifying
climate-related risks and opportunities. We monitor climate-related risks and opportunities
on an ongoing basis. This is included within our corporate risk management approach, with a
particular climate-related focus annually. The Group recognises the pivotal role we can play
in facilitating the circular economy, and we see this as a priority opportunity for our business.
The summary below shows our approach to identifying and quantifying climate-related risks
and opportunities
The risks and opportunities we encounter are
influenced not only by the physical impacts
of climate change but also by transition
risks. These transition risks are shaped by
how auction houses, bidders, and other
stakeholders respond to climate change
and the regulations governing our market.
In FY24, we built on our qualitative and
quantitative scenario analyses undertaken
in FY23 to assess the physical and transition
climate-related risks and opportunities under
three climate scenarios, utilising quantitative
data from the Network for Greening the
Financial System (“NGFS”), such as carbon
pricing and climate data, which is accredited by
the Bank of England. The assessment of risks
and opportunities was performed over three
time horizons:
Short term: Present - 2025
Medium term: 2025 - 2030
Long term: 2030 - 2050
The time horizons were selected to be aligned
with the Group’s wider business strategy.
The short-term horizon supports our
immediate focus on reducing Scope 1-2
emissions and advancing our efforts in the
circular economy, while monitoring near-term
regulatory changes and market trends. The
medium-term horizon is aligned with our
mid-point sustainability goals, allowing us to
evaluate progress towards reducing our overall
carbon footprint. The long-term horizon ties
directly into our Net Zero by 2040 ambition,
enabling us to assess the long-range impacts
of climate change and prepare the business to
capture future opportunities.
Consistent with FY23, the likelihood and impact
scores for each potential risk and opportunity
were consolidated by taking average scores
to assess overall materiality of risks and
opportunities across the three time horizons.
An assessment of vulnerability was then
applied to the consolidated risk and
opportunity scores. Vulnerability considered
three parameters: sensitivity, exposure and
adaptive capacity, to provide a vulnerability
score. Risk scores are calculated through
the multiplication of impact, likelihood and
vulnerability, enabling risks and opportunities
to be prioritised.
We scan data sources
to identify climate-
related risks and
opportunities, such
as sector research,
climate policy
updates and peer
analysis.
A scenario analysis
is conducted to
assess the qualitative
impact of the
identified risks and
opportunities. This
aids in ranking and
prioritising the risks
and opportunities,
providing the top 10
as listed on page 61.
A quantitative
scenario analysis
is undertaken to
determine the
potential financial
impact on cash
flows of the risks
and opportunities.
When applying a
materiality, it was
concluded that no
risks or opportunities
were material to the
business, however the
top three have been
detailed on pages 62
to 63.
We bring the climate-
related risks and
opportunities into
the Group’s wider
risk management
processes, ensuring
these are monitored
on an ongoing basis.
NGFS-approved scenarios applied
NGFS scenario
Key characteristics
Justification
Net Zero 2050
Policies in alignment with the Paris
Agreement goals.
Alignment with the Paris Agreement
goals consistent with a transition to a
lower-carbon economy, as per TCFD
recommendations.
Delayed
Transition
Assumes new climate policies are
not introduced until 2030 with the
availability of carbon dioxide reduction
technologies kept low, pushing carbon
prices higher than in Net Zero 2050.
Simulates higher transition risks
compared to other scenarios and is
used to show worst case scenario for
transition risks.
Current
Policies
Assumes that only currently
implemented policies are preserved,
and no further political intervention on
climate change is undertaken, leading to
3°C warming and severe physical risks.
A scenario that simulates low transition
risks but severe physical risks.
Identify
Qualitative
analysis
Quantitative
analysis
Incorporation
into Group risk
management
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
60
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Sustainability Report
continued
Climate-related risks
Our scenario analysis identified 26 potential climate-related risks to the Group. The assessment
included consideration of the transition to a low-carbon economy and risks related to the physical
impacts of climate change. Based on the risk scores calculated for each of these, the top 10
climate-related risks are as follows.
Priority
Risk identified
1
Data centre outages due to acute weather events
leading to loss of revenue and expenditure on
customer compensation
2
Increased competition in the online secondary
goods market, resulting in more choice for
consumers and therefore diluting ATG's
market share
3
Hosting providers passing costs on from
increased carbon price, increasing expenditures
4
Carbon pricing mechanisms result in increased
costs for ATG and suppliers, negatively impacting
sales and profitability
5
Increased regulation may limit the sale of some
goods and services (e.g., high emission vehicles)
6
Climate-induced economic and geo-political
instability leading to reduced supply and/or
demand in the secondary goods market
7
Hosting providers passing on costs due to
increased energy needs for cooling and carbon
reduction measures
8
A decline in share price if ATG does not
adapt to changing investor preferences for
ESG improvements
9
Chronic and acute weather events disrupting
operations/logistics leading to increased costs
10
Carbon pricing mechanisms increasing the cost
of living leading to higher wage bill and reduced
profit margins
Impact
Likelihood
Climate-related opportunities
By following the process summarised above we identified eight potential climate-related
opportunities to the Group. The consideration of opportunities took into account resource
efficiency and cost saving, adoption of low emission energy sources, the development of new
products and services, access to new markets and building resilience along the supply chain.
Based on the above, the eight opportunities were ranked as follows.
Priority
Opportunity identified
1
Higher demand for secondary goods due
to increased public awareness of the
environmental implications of buying new
items and the circular economy, increasing
overall sales and commission
2
Investor preferences to invest in low-carbon
companies increasing ATG's ability to
raise finance
3
Higher demand for secondary goods due to
climate-related economic contraction increasing
sales via ATG's platforms
4
Reduced carbon emissions leading to reduced
risks associated with regulation and taxation
5
Adapting products in line with climate-related
regulation and taxation e.g., Antiques Trade
Gazette digitisation, leading to reduced
expenditure
6
Reputational benefits from ATG's approach
to reducing carbon emissions leading to
increasing sales
7
Supply chain disruption due to climatic changes
increasing demand for secondary goods and
increased sales
8
Reduced operational costs due to efforts to
reduce carbon emissions and use of low-carbon
technologies
1
4
3
10
9
5
7
8
6
3
2
1
7
4
8
2
6
5
3
Size of the marker represents the Group’s
vulnerability to the risk or opportunity
Impact
Likelihood
Size of the marker represents the Group’s
vulnerability to the risk or opportunity
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
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Further Information
61
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Sustainability Report
continued
Highest ranked climate-related risks to the Group
The top three climate-related risks are outlined and discussed below, the remaining risks are documented internally.
Risk type
Impact
Mitigation/response
Timeline
Risk sub-
category
Geographic
location
Business
operation
Financial
impact
category
Financial
impact
Physical and transition
Data centre outages
due to acute weather
events leading to loss of
revenue and expenditure
on customer
compensation
Due to the digital nature of the Group’s
operations, the highest risk to our operations
is third-party data centre downtime and the
implications of this on revenue and
expenditure. We understand that, whilst we
do not operate data centres ourselves, the
impact of physical climate-related risks on
our data centre suppliers, resulting in us
being unable to access our services, would
be significant.
We have a business continuity plan which
takes into consideration the performance of
our third-party suppliers. Whilst the severity
of this risk is high, the likelihood of our
suppliers being impacted by physical
climatic changes and events is low and there
is also high resilience within the sector.
Most likely to
manifest under a
Current Policies
scenario, in the long
term.
Acute
(physical),
market and
reputational
(transition)
All
Data centres
Revenues
and
expenditure
Low: not
expected to
have a material
impact on the
business
Transition
Increased competition
in the online secondary
goods market, resulting
in more choice for
consumers and
therefore diluting ATG’s
market share
Whilst it is unlikely that the breadth of the
Group’s business operations would be
equalled by an existing or new entrant to
the market, overall competition in the
secondary goods market has been
highlighted as one of the most material risks
to the Group. This risk recognises that with
growing awareness of the environmental
benefits of the circular economy, consumers
will likely have more options to purchase
secondary-market goods in the future.
Key to the Group’s business model is the
ease of use and the reach of all platforms.
The Group is deeply involved in the world of
technology and innovation, so is well
positioned to take advantage of any emerging
technology to ensure sellers and buyers of
secondary-market goods continue to choose
our platforms when faced with increased
options. Maintaining continued awareness of
options within the secondary goods market
will be key to maintaining this position.
Most likely to
manifest under Net
Zero 2050 or Delayed
Transition scenarios,
in the medium to
long term.
Market
All
All
Revenues
Low: not
expected to
have a material
impact on the
business
Transition
Hosting providers
passing costs on from
increased carbon price,
increasing expenditures
As highlighted in our highest ranked
climate-related risk above, we have a
significant reliance on third-party data
centre providers. If there is an increase in
the price of carbon, this is likely to impact
the major cloud-providers and therefore
there is a risk these costs get passed on to
the Group.
We are engaging with our hosting providers
to assess their sustainability policies,
looking to work with those that are making
commitments to 100% renewable
energy. We are also working to optimise
our cloud resource usage, reducing our
reliance on key suppliers.
We will continue to monitor the use of
carbon pricing mechanisms and factor
this into financial planning as required.
Most likely to
manifest under Net
Zero 2050 or Delayed
Transition scenarios,
in the medium to
long term.
Market
All
Data centres
Expenditure
Low: not
expected to
have a material
impact on the
business.
Our resilience to climate-related risks
Following a thorough review of the Group’s climate-related risks and opportunities, which takes into account the three scenarios identified on page 60, the nature of our business, which is a
low-emission business and whose purpose is to promote the circular economy, it has been concluded that the Group’s overall exposure to climate-related risks is low. Ongoing monitoring will continue
to ensure there are no changes to the scale of identified and emerging risks.
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
62
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Sustainability Report
continued
Highest ranked climate-related opportunities to the Group
The top three potential opportunities are outlined and discussed below; the remaining opportunities are documented internally.
Opportunity type
Impact
Response
Timeline
Opportunity-
sub category
Geographic
location
Business
operation
Financial
impact
category
Financial
impact
Transition
Higher demand for
secondary goods
due to increased
public awareness of
the environmental
implications of buying
new items and the
circular economy,
increasing overall sales
and commission
The Group’s business model enables the
circular economy, facilitating the sale of
secondary goods, keeping materials in
circulation for longer. As a result, in the
future it is likely that there will be increased
public awareness of the environmental
impacts of purchasing new items and a
consumer shift to secondary items.
The Group is already a leading player in this
market; and is well placed to maximise this
opportunity and further facilitate the
circular economy. We will continue to
investigate how we can further contribute to
the circular economy and the role we can
play in enabling the re-use of goods.
Most likely to
manifest under
Net Zero 2050 or
Delayed Transition
scenarios, in the
medium to long
term.
Products,
services,
markets
All
All
Revenues
High:
potentially
a material
opportunity for
the business
Transition
Investor preferences
to invest in low-carbon
companies increasing
ATG’s ability to raise
finance
Increasingly investors will be looking to
invest in companies that are providing goods
and/or services that are beneficial to the
environment.
The Group’s activities contribute to the
circular economy, and we are actively
reducing our own carbon footprint. The
Group therefore is likely to be well placed to
attract environmentally conscious investors
in future years.
Most likely to
manifest under Net
Zero 2050 or Delayed
Transition scenarios,
in the short to
medium term.
Markets
All
All
Capital and
financing
High:
potentially
a material
opportunity for
the business
Transition
Higher demand for
secondary goods due
to climate-related
economic contraction
increasing sales via ATG’s
platforms
As public disposable income shrinks, and
carbon prices increase, consumers are less
likely to purchase luxury goods and services.
New, full-price goods may see a fall in
demand, but there may be a spike in the
secondary goods market which are seen as
a cheaper alternative during a period of
economic downturn.
The Group will continue to invest and
develop its technology and services to
ensure that we maintain our leading position
in this market and take advantage of the
future potential opportunities.
Most likely to
manifest under the
Delayed Transition
scenario, in the long
term.
Markets
All
All
Revenue
High:
potentially
a material
opportunity for
the business
As the opportunities above have the potential for a high financial impact, we will continue to monitor these from a strategic perspective to increase the likelihood of gaining a financial advantage from
their realisation. The opportunities are discussed on a bi-annual basis at the Sustainability and ESG Committee and as specific progress against any of them is identified, updates are provided for
discussion at the Audit Committee.
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
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Further Information
63
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Sustainability Report
continued
TCFD: Risk management
Risk management overview
The Board has overall responsibility for
determining the principal and emerging risks
to the Group. The Board ensures there is an
appropriate risk management framework in
place to identify and manage significant
strategic, operational, financial, compliance
and reputational risks to the Company and
annually approves the Group’s strategic risk
register. The Board is also responsible for
understanding risks and issues that are
new, developing, growing or becoming more
prominent. This is done through a combination
of operational risk assessments and other
horizon-scanning initiatives.
Day-to-day responsibility of risk management
is delegated to the Senior Management
Team, whilst the overall monitoring and review
of the effectiveness of the internal controls
and risk management is delegated to the
Audit Committee.
The Group’s risk management framework
applies the principles of the “Three Lines of
Defence” and sets out a process for identifying,
assessing, managing, mitigating and monitoring
risks. Further details of our risk management
approach can be found on page 35.
Integrating climate-related risks
The Board has conducted a robust assessment
of the principal risks facing the Group, including
those that would threaten our business model,
future performance, solvency or liquidity.
Whilst climate change is not considered to
be one of these principal risks, the changing
climate may interact with our principal risks
and affect our value chain. The Group’s Head
of Risk and Internal Audit, as a member of the
Sustainability and ESG Committee, assists in
ensuring that the interactions between climate-
related issues and the Group’s principal risks
are understood.
For example, as a predominantly online
business, we are reliant on data centre
providers, and acknowledge that the risks
posed by climate change on our key providers
may affect us. Climate change may pose a
threat to our online platforms through
climate-driven weather events affecting our
data centres which impact the stability and
continuity of our auction platforms, one of
our principal risks.
Climate-related issues may also increase
competition within the secondary goods
market, exacerbating our principal risk of
competition. Additionally, climate change may
worsen the principal risk of economic and
geo-political uncertainty, leading to rising
operating costs. Due to these interactions, we
closely monitor climate change risk and the
interaction with our principal risks and will
further build on this integration in the future
risk management processes.
Integrating climate-related
opportunities
Climate-related opportunities are reviewed as
part of our business development activities.
We are aware that the effects of climate change
continue to grow and this will impact the buying
habits of consumers. We therefore need to
ensure our marketplaces have the capacity
to meet the increasing demand over time.
TCFD: Metrics and targets
Introduction
We have developed a thorough understanding
of our climate-related impact through analysing
our global Scope 1-3 greenhouse gas (“GHG”)
emissions annually using our established
methodology in line with the World Resources
Institute GHG Protocol, a Corporate Accounting
and Reporting Standard, Revised Edition (“the
GHG Protocol”)
1
. We are committed to
becoming Net Zero across our operations
and value chain.
To achieve Net Zero, we have set a near-term
science-based target (“SBT”) to reduce Scope 1
and Scope 2 GHG emissions by 42% by 2030
(FY31). In addition, we have committed to
becoming Net Zero across all scopes by 2040
(FY41) in line with the Corporate Net-Zero
Standard. Both targets are absolute reductions
from an FY22 base year and are in line with the
global effort to limit global warming to 1.5°C
above pre-industrial levels. Our targets are now
both validated by the Science Based Targets
initiative (“SBTi”).
Our FY24 focus
We have continued to focus on understanding
our GHG emissions, developing our transition
plan to adapt and contribute to the shift to
a low-carbon economy, and validating our
long-term Net Zero commitment with the SBTi.
As in previous years, the Group accepts that
our overall emissions have and may continue
to rise as a growing and acquisitive company.
We did not rebase our targets with the addition
of the ESN mid way through FY23. We have
therefore had a full year contribution from ESN
in FY24 on our emission figures versus seven
months in FY23.
When calculating our GHG emissions, we
have accounted for all relevant emissions
associated with our operations, as required by
the Companies Act 2006 and the Companies
(Directors’ Report, Regulations 2013) and
Limited Liability Partnerships (Energy and
Carbon Report) Regulations 2018. Our carbon
emissions can be found in Total greenhouse
gas emissions (page 66), and in our Streamlined
Energy Carbon Reporting (“SECR”) table on
page 68.
We have identified our key Scope 1 and 2
reduction strategies and progress against
our near-term Scope 1 and 2 reduction target
have been monitored through an increased
frequency of GHG emissions analysis. These
has been set out on page 69 along with the
progress we are making against each one of
these strategies.
Progress against our Scope 1 and 2 reduction
target was incorporated into remuneration
policies for FY24, details of which can be found
on page 119.
Annually we strive to improve our GHG
calculation methodology to ensure we fully
understand and report the GHG emissions
associated with our full operations. Changes
made to our approach are outlined in
Methodology, page 66. To ensure transparency,
the presentation of our GHG emissions and
other climate-related metrics (as shown in Our
FY24 carbon impact, page 66) are guided by the
principles of the UK’s Competition and Markets
Authority (“CMA”) Green Claims Code
2
.
1.
WRI GHG Protocol Corporate Standard. Available: https://ghgprotocol.org/corporate-standard
2. HM Government, 2021. Green Claims Code. Available: https://greenclaims.campaign.gov.uk/
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
64
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Sustainability Report
continued
Antiques Trade Gazee
Our weekly Antiques Trade Gazette has
traditionally been issued in paper format,
sent to individual subscribers. In recent
years, we have started the move towards
digitisation of the Gazette. In FY24, we have
increased the number of digital-only editions
of the weekly Gazette issues to three.
Alongside this, to reduce the environmental
impact of the paper issues of the Gazette,
we have other ongoing initiatives, such as:
Only vegetable-based inks are used.
All plastic packaging has been replaced
by non-plastic compostable packaging.
All paper is sourced from sustainably
managed forests and can be recycled.
Closure of our Omaha office
As part of our wider climate strategy, we
have taken decisive steps to reduce our
carbon emissions, one of which involved the
phased downsizing and eventual closure of
our Omaha office. In FY23, we made an initial
move to downsize into a smaller office,
reducing the space and energy requirements
needed for our operations. Building on that
progress, we fully closed the smaller office
in FY24, transitioning to a remote and flexible
working model.
These actions have contributed significantly
to reducing our Scope 1 and 2 emissions
by lowering energy consumption related to
office heating, cooling, and electricity use.
Additionally, the closure has minimised
the environmental impact of employee
commuting and business travel.
This phased approach aligns with our Science
Based Targets initiative (“SBTi”)-approved
climate goals, forming a key part of our
long-term strategy to achieve Net Zero
across our operations by 2040.
By adopting more agile working models
and reducing our reliance on physical
office spaces, we continue to implement
meaningful changes to support our
sustainability objectives and drive down
carbon emissions.
Case studies
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
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Further Information
65
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Sustainability Report
continued
Methodology
Greenhouse gas emissions
We were supported in calculating our
GHG emissions by an external energy
and sustainability consultancy.
An operational control approach has been
taken, meaning that the inventory covers
emissions from all operations under the
Group’s operational control, including
operations in the UK, North America,
and Germany.
Emission factors have been chosen based on
the location of the emissions, where country-
specific emission factors are not available,
UK Government emission factors have been
applied. Emissions are reported in line with
the Group’s financial year.
We use primary data wherever possible, and
work with representatives from all sites and
specific business functions (e.g., IT and HR) to
improve data quality and consistency. These
representatives make up the ESG Working
Committee. Specifically, we have confirmed
our approach to calculating the emissions
associated with the use of our products with
our in-house analytics team and have focused
on ensuring all remote workers are captured
in our data.
We apply a “data hierarchy”, with primary data
being the highest preference and generic,
intensity-based factors as least preferable.
The ESG Working Committee members work
to improve data, moving up the hierarchy each
year and standardising the approach across
business units.
We continue to improve the emission factors
we apply to calculate emissions associated with
procured goods and services, focusing on IT
suppliers. We now have activity data for 53% of
our IT spend and apply the approach outlined in
the GHG Protocol to calculate tailored supplier-
specific emissions for 13% of IT and hosting
spend where there is publicly available data.
We will continue to build on this in subsequent
years to further improve data accuracy and
inform our procurement decisions.
We continue to calculate emissions from all
relevant Scope 3 categories, now covering
10 out of the GHG Protocol’s 15 categories,
including the use of our sold products and
remote working emissions, ensuring we
account for all emissions that result from the
Group’s operations and services. A Scope 3
screening process is conducted annually to
ensure all relevant emissions are captured.
Due to a change in our operations, emissions
associated with downstream leased assets are
now relevant and reported for the first time.
The remaining Scope 3 categories, including
emissions from upstream leased assets,
franchises, processing of sold products, and
investments, remain not applicable to the
Group as none of our activities fall within these
categories. Insufficient data was available
for upstream transportation and distribution
emissions to be established and due to our
low consumption of physical materials, this
category is considered de-minimis. Our GHG
emissions therefore cover all operations,
excluding this de-minimis category.
In line with the GHG Protocol, and to ensure
consistency with our previous year’s reporting,
we are reporting location-based emissions
from purchased electricity across our business.
Our FY24 carbon impact
Total greenhouse gas emissions
GHG emissions (tCO
2
e)
3
FY24
FY23
FY22
% Change (in
last fiscal year)
% Change (from
FY22 base year)
Scope 1
12.5
23.4
32.5
(47)%
(62)%
Scope 2 – location based
189.6
289.2
391.3
(34)%
(52)%
Scope 2 – market based
114.6
194.3
(41)%
Total (Scopes 1 & 2)
202.1
312.6
423.8
(35)%
(52)%
Scope 3
3,192.7
3,016.9
4
2,445.4
6%
31%
Total (Scopes 1, 2 & 3)
3,394.8
3,329.5
2,869.2
2%
18%
GHG emission intensity – Scopes 1, 2 & 3
Turnover ($)
$174.2
$165.9
$151.8
5%
15%
Full time equivalents (FTEs)
377
396
337
(5)%
12%
Carbon intensity (emissions per $million turnover)
19.5
20.1
18.9
(3)%
3%
Carbon intensity (emissions per average FTEs
9.0
8.4
8.5
7%
6%
Percentage of operations included
>97%
>95%
3. GHG emissions reported in metric tonnes CO2 equivalent (tCO2e).
4. FY23 Scope 3 emissions have been restated due to a minor calculation error in FY23 relating to purchased goods and services emission factors.
We report market-based purchased electricity
emissions where we have certificates to prove
the origin of the electricity, for example in our
London headquarters, and apply residual mix
factors where we do not.
To ensure we fully account for the emissions
from the electricity we consume, and to
incentivise reductions in electricity demand,
we use location-based purchased electricity
emissions in our reduction targets and
Net Zero commitment.
Our FY24 carbon footprint is the first year to
include a full year’s emissions from ESN, as
well as GHG emissions associated with our
operations in Mexico for part of the year.
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Further Information
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Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Sustainability Report
continued
Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (“SECR”)
SECR overview
Descriptive information
Methodology used
The methodology used to calculate our greenhouse gas emissions, our “GHG inventory”, is
based on the World Resources Institute GHG Protocol – A Corporate Accounting and Reporting
Standard, Revised Edition (“the Protocol”) and follows the Protocol’s guiding principles of
relevance, completeness, consistency, transparency and accuracy. We were supported to do this
by energy and sustainability consultants.
An operational control approach has been taken, meaning that the inventory covers emissions
from all operations that are under the Group’s operational control, including operations in the
UK, Germany, North America. Emission factors have been chosen based on the location of the
emissions. However, where emission factors are not available, UK Government emission factors
have been applied. Emissions are reported in line with the Group’s financial year.
Emission factors used
UK Government emission factors have been applied from “UK Government conversion factors
for GHG reporting”, as well as “European Residual Mixes Association of Issuing Bodies” and North
America location-based emission factors for MROW, NYCP, and NWPP electricity and waste.
Intensity ratio
The intensity ratio used displays total gross emissions (tCO
2
e) within Scope 1 and 2
per million $ turnover.
Measures undertaken to improve energy
efficiency
This year, we continue to work with the ESG Working Committee representatives from across
our locations to improve the energy efficiency of our buildings, including improving monitoring
and data, reducing heating temperatures, increasing cooling temperatures, installing LED lighting
throughout our offices and ensuring all electronic appliances are switched off when our offices are
closed or the appliances are not needed. Additionally, our Omaha-based workers are now remote.
Additional voluntary reporting activities
As well as quantifying our direct emissions (Scope 1 and 2), as required by the Companies Act
2006 and the Companies (Directors’ Report, Regulations 2013) and Limited Liability Partnerships
(Energy and Carbon Report) Regulations 2018, We are committed to going beyond our statutory
duty and comprehensively calculating and reporting indirect (Scope 3) emissions. As these
emissions would not occur if we were not in existence, we consider it important for us to
voluntarily report these emissions, providing our customers, clients and stakeholders with
full transparency.
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Financial Statements
Further Information
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Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Sustainability Report
continued
SECR data
Category
Scope
Current reporting year
FY24
Previous reporting year
FY23
UK and offshore
Global (excluding
UK and offshore)
UK and offshore
Global (excluding
UK and offshore)
Emissions from activities which the Company owns or controls including the combustion of fuel and operation
of facilities (tCO
2
e)
1
7.2
5.3
7.8
15.6
Emissions from purchase of electricity, heat, steam and cooling purchased for own use (location based, tCO
2
e)
2
16.2
173.3
19.2
270.0
Total gross Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions (tCO
2
e)
1 & 2
23.5
178.6
27.0
285.6
Energy consumption used to calculate the above emissions (kWh)
1 & 2
99,841.4
672,977.2
120,309.9
948,142.0
Total gross Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions UK and global (tCO
2
e)
1 & 2
202.1
312.0
Intensity ratio UK and global: emissions (tCO
2
e) per million $ turnover
1 & 2
1.2
1.9
SECR change log
Change in consumption, emissions, and intensity ratio between the previous and reporting year
Category
Percentage change
Consumption (kWh)
(28)%
Emissions (tCO
2
e)
(35)%
Intensity ratio (emissions tCO
2
e / million $ budget)
(38)%
Description of changes in consumption,
emissions, and intensity ratio between the
previous and reporting year.
Absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions have decreased by 35%, whereas our carbon intensity, i.e., a measure of carbon emissions as a proportion of our
overall activity, has decreased by 38%, indicating that we are becoming more carbon efficient as we grow.
Our absolute Scope 1 emissions have declined by 47% since the prior reporting year and our absolute Scope 2 emissions have decreased by 34%.
This can be predominantly attributed to our move to a smaller office in Omaha in FY23 and the subsequent move to remote working from June 2024.
Our emissions this year include a full year of the FY23 acquired company, ESN.
We continue to measure and improve upon our understanding of our Scope 3 emissions. In total, our absolute Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions have
increased by 2%, however, have decreased by 3% relative to turnover. As last year, we have included remote working emissions and emissions
associated with the use of sold products in our carbon footprint to ensure we account for our home-based employees and continued growth in our
online auction services.
External assurance statement
We confirm that this SECR report has been reviewed by the external auditors as part of their full financial audit.
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Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
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Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Sustainability Report
continued
Our progress
We have signed up to the Science Based Targets initiative (“SBTi”) Business Ambition for 1.5°C. By doing so, we are commied to achieving Net Zero before 2040 and to reducing emissions
in line with the Paris Agreement goals.
Throughout the year we have been monitoring our progress against our environmental targets. Below we have provided an update on our SBTi-approved near- and long- term targets.
Our progress
Metric
Emission type
Target year
Base year
Current year
Target year
Status
Reduction of absolute
Scope 1 and 2 emissions
by 42% by 2030 (FY31)
from a FY22 base year.
Scope 1
Scope 2
2030
424
tCO
2
e
202
tCO
2
e
246
tCO
2
e
On track
We’ve made significant progress in reducing our Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, demonstrating our commitment
to sustainability.
Key contributing projects across our offices have included reducing summer cooling and winter heating; installing LED
lighting; updating IT accessories to the latest, most efficient versions; and ensuring HVAC and appliances are turned off
when not in use.
The key contributor was the closure of our Omaha office (see page 65).
Net Zero – Reduction of
Scope 1-3 emissions by at
least 90% by 2040 (FY41)
from a FY22 base year.
Scope 1
Scope 2
Scope 3
2040
2,869
tCO
2
e
3,395
tCO
2
e
287
tCO
2
e
More work needed
As our business has grown with the acquisition of ESN, naturally, so have our Scope 3 emissions. This increase reflects
the broader scale of our operations, with more suppliers, customers, and logistical needs, all of which contribute to
these emissions.
Our total combined emissions have seen a small increase on FY23 (3,240 tCO
2
e) but this represents a significant slowdown
from the previous year-on-year upward trend and is a 3% reduction in our emissions per $million turnover.
We have seen significant improvement in the “Purchased Goods and Services” category following efforts made to optimise
our cloud hosting usage.
Our long-term strategy aims to decouple business growth from emissions growth, ensuring that as revenues rise, Scope 3
emissions will eventually decrease, in line with our sustainability commitments.
We are also working to improve the data quality available for some of the more difficult-to-measure categories within
Scope 3, which aid us in targeting the right areas to bring our emissions down.
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Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Sustainability Report
continued
Our direct emissions
A breakdown of our FY24 carbon emissions is
shown in Figure 1. In FY24, 6% of emissions
(202.1 tCO
2
e) fell into Scopes 1 and 2, direct
emissions associated with our operations.
Purchased electricity (113.0 tCO
2
e) was the
largest contributor to Scope 1 and 2 emissions
(56%), followed by purchased heat (38% and
76.6 tCO
2
e). Stationary combustion, i.e., fuel
combusted within stationary equipment such
as a boiler, accounts for <1% (1.8 tCO
2
e) of
Scope 1 and 2 emissions; fugitive emissions,
such as refrigerant leaks, also made up 3%
(6.4 tCO
2
e), whilst mobile combustion
accounted for the remaining 2% (4.3 tCO
2
e).
Our corporate value chain emissions
94% of our Group’s emissions fall into Scope 3,
our corporate value chain emissions. Scope 3
emissions, which are under a reporting
organisation’s influence but not control,
typically make up the largest proportion of
a company’s carbon emissions, particularly
when Scope 3 emissions are comprehensively
covered. A breakdown of our Scope 3
emissions is shown in Figure 2.
This year, the Group’s largest Scope 3 emission
source continues to be from purchased goods
and services (1,143.3 tCO
2
e), accounting for 36%
of Scope 3 emissions. These emissions are from
the hosting of our online platforms in data
centres operated by others and other IT spend.
Other significant Scope 3 categories include the
use of our products (654.3 tCO
2
e and 20% of
Scope 3 emissions), employee commuting and
remote working (513.3 tCO
2
e and 16% of Scope 3
emissions), and business travel (470.9 tCO
2
e and
15% of Scope 3 emissions).
Our Scope 3 calculations are considered to be
more complete in FY24.
Figure 2
Scope category
tCO
2
e
% of
overall
footprint
S3-1
Purchased goods and services
1,143.3
36%
S3-2 Capital goods
248.9
8%
S3-3
Fuel- and energy- related
activities not included in S1 or S2
60.7
2%
S3-5
Waste generated in operations
16.3
1%
S3-6 Business travel
470.9
15%
S3-7
Employee commuting (&
remote working)
513.3
16%
S3-8 Upstream leased assets
7.7
0%
S3-9
Downstream transportation
and distribution
63.0
2%
S3-11 Use of sold products
654.3
20%
S3-12
End of life treatment of
sold products
0.5
0%
S3-13 Downstream leased assets
13.7
0%
Total
3,192.7
100%
Figure 1: ATG’s direct (Scope 1 & 2 emissions)
in FY24.
Scope category
tCO
2
e
Scope 1
12.5
0%
Scope 2
189.6
6%
Scope 3
3,192.7
94%
Total
3,394.7
100%
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Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Sustainability Report
continued
Additional climate-related metrics
We collect additional climate-related metrics
as part of our GHG accounting processes which
we are disclosing for the second time in FY24.
The Sustainability and ESG Committee is
responsible for the governance of these
metrics and ESG Working Group members
collate data across our geographies in line with
the operational control approach and scope
boundaries of our GHG emissions.
Water usage is minimal due to ATG’s operations.
Water withdrawal refers to all water drawn into
the boundaries of the organisation from all
sources. We follow the CDP’s definition of
water withdrawal which is adapted from the
GRI Standards Glossary 2016.
We are committed to preventing waste within
our operations alongside preventing wasted
raw materials through our services. We
encourage the recycling of office waste and
ensure that IT equipment, at end of life, is
recycled or repurposed to minimise waste
going to landfill. ATG recognises the
consequences of long-term damage to
biodiversity, and we aim to reduce the impact
of ATG’s operations on the local environment.
Waste is reported in total tonnes generated
and classified as recycled or non-recycled.
As with our GHG reporting, a data hierarchy is
applied, and we are working across the Group
to improve data quality annually, as well as
align with internationally recognised reporting
standards and frameworks as required.
Additional climate-related metrics
Energy
Energy consumption (kWh)
FY24
FY23
% Change (in last
fiscal year)
Non-renewable
729,552
1,031,326
(29)%
Non-renewable by fuel type:
Stationary combustion (gas)
9,939
50,715
(80)%
Purchased electricity (fossil fuel)
225,862
417,290
(46)%
Purchased heat (gas)
476,643
543,057
(12)%
Mobile combustion (diesel)
17,108
20,264
(16)%
Renewable
43,267
37,126
17%
Renewable by fuel type
Purchase electricity (REGO backed)
43,267
37,126
17%
Total
772,819
1,068,452
(28%)
Percentage of operations included
>97%
>95%
2%
Waste
Waste generation (tonnes)
FY24
FY23
% Change (in last
fiscal year)
Total recycled
4.8
4.0
19%
Total non-recycled
27.4
17.7
55%
Total
32.2
21.7
48%
Percentage of operations included
>97%
>95%
2%
Water
Water withdrawal
*
(tonnes)
FY24
FY23
% Change (in last
fiscal year)
Water withdrawal
1,763.4
1,514
16%
Water withdrawal intensity
(withdrawal per £million turnover)
10.1
11.2
11%
Percentage of operations included
>97%
>95%
2%
*
Water withdrawal refers to all water drawn into the boundaries of the organisation from all sources. We follow the CDP’s
definition of water withdrawal which is adapted from GRI Standards Glossary 2016.
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Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
ATG Values
Our values encompass everything that we
do, driving the way ATG operates with a
winning team made up of smart, passionate
individuals who connect to our mission.
Our people
and community
At ATG, we aim to ensure our employees feel they
belong and can reach their full potential. Our people
are our most valuable resource and asset. Ensuring
that we attract, nurture and retain our people is key
to ATG’s success.
2. Create Customer Value
Know your customer
Understand how ATG creates value for buyers
and sellers
Act with trust, integrity and consistency
4. Collaborate to Win
Think, act and win as One ATG
Work together across teams and borders to
achieve and celebrate shared success
Know the vision, work on the right priorities
and be an expert in your discipline
1. Drive Results
Execute with excellence on the right priorities
Take ownership on what matters and
be accountable
Set a pace that pushes ATG ahead of
the competition
3. Find a Smarter, Beer Way
Innovate and seek improved ways of working
Deliver today but also be future-focused
Be creative in seeking ways to enhance
efficiency, delivery or impact
5. Empower People to Grow
Be ambitious in seeking ways to develop
yourself and others
Create an environment of respect, diversity
and inclusion
Start with trust and professional honesty
Sustainability Report
continued
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Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Engagement
We want to ensure that ATG remains a great
place to work and we regularly engage with our
employees through different communication
channels to understand their feedback and
concerns. We welcome open and honest
feedback and each year we run two
engagement surveys to understand sentiment.
84% of employees participated in the survey
in December 2023, which showed a slight
decrease in engagement from 76% to 67%.
Key concerns from this survey were discussed
within small focus groups as well as with the
Senior Management Team. 83% of employees
responded to the most recent survey in June
in 2024, with the overall engagement score
of 73% up 6ppt from the last survey. We
also continued to strengthen our internal
communications through regular Group-wide
“All Hands” meetings, which offer employees
the opportunity to stay connected with
strategy updates and business priorities
as well as providing the opportunity to
celebrate success and recognise exceptional
employee performance.
In addition, the implementation of atgPeople as
a global HR system has also provided a space
for employees to connect with each other to
celebrate new joiners, work anniversaries and
to send recognition to one another. atgPeople
is the central one-stop-shop now for all
employee and manager communications
and key Humans Resources processes.
Tamsin Todd continued as the Board’s
designated Director for workforce engagement
and the outputs of her twice-yearly meetings
were reported to the Board as detailed on
page 44 of this report.
Wellbeing and safety of our employees
ATG is committed to supporting our employees
in all aspects of their health and well-being. We
provide a comprehensive range of healthcare
benefits globally including access to mental
health support.
We started the year striving for all employees in
North America to be offered the same benefits,
fully aligned and including the recent acquisition
of ESN. This resulted in a fair compensation and
benefits model, including a single health and
wellbeing offering. We also offer hybrid working
practices across the business. In the UK we
significantly enhanced our maternity and pay
policy as well as introducing a new Private
Medical Insurance programme.
We also encouraged our employees to align
their interests with shareholders and to benefit
from their contribution to ATG’s success, by
awarding all employee’s equity. In FY24, all
employees were offered equity under the
Long-term Incentive Plan, which vests over
a two, three or four-year period.
Furthermore, UK and German employees
have the opportunity to take part in a Share
Incentive Plan (“SIP”). For every share an
employee purchases, ATG will match it. North
America employees will be invited to buy
shares under the Employee Share Purchase
Plan (“ESPP”), purchasing shares at a 15%
discount. 34% of eligible employees participate
in one of the current schemes (FY23: 37%).
The health and safety of all ATG employees
and visitors to our offices is a priority for the
business, and during the year we have ensured
that our offices provided a safe working
environment for both our employees and any
visitors. ATG has a health and safety policy and
appropriate insurance for all employees. We are
pleased to report that we have had no fatalities
or serious injuries during the year, and there
was no impact to our operations due to
work-related incidents or work-related
occupational disease.
Sustainability Report
continued
Number of employees by region
FY24
FY23
FY22
Europe
115
116
109
N America
239
275
236
S America
32
RoW
Total
386
391
345
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (“D,E&I”)
At ATG, we value the differences that a diverse
workforce brings to our organisation and are
fully committed to the elimination of unlawful
and unfair discrimination. We know that our
continued success relies on people having a
wide range of experience and skills to bring
different perspectives, promote innovation and
provide constructive challenge. Our Board
diversity policy and our workforce Diversity &
Inclusion (“D&I”) and Equal Opportunities policy
do not discriminate against employees based
on gender, race or ethnic origin, age, religion,
sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity,
gender identity, disability, marriage or civil
partnership, social background, nationality, or
political opinion and is available on our website.
In FY24, we kicked off our strategic DE&I plan
by assembling our first Diversity, Equity and
Inclusion Working Group. The group is made up
of representatives from each area of the
business who will drive initiatives forward. So
far, the Working Group has executed on Active
Bystander training sessions for customer-facing
employees and Group-wide DE&I Awareness
sessions for all employees.
Engagement score
73%
Our hiring practice is committed to fair and
equal treatment and we hire based on merit and
the right skills for the role. In the last 12 months,
33% of our new joiners have been female and
we utilise specialist search sites, including
“Women in Product”, to find talent in this area.
In FY24, we also introduced diverse slates for
all senior level roles and in technology.
We are committed to supporting disabled
and neurodiverse employees and we offer
flexibility and support to any employees who
are disabled upon joining, or who become so
during employment, including equipment or
schedule accommodations. Applicants with
disabilities are given full and fair consideration
during recruitment processes. We are
committed to supporting employees with
disabilities with regard to training, career
development and promotion.
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Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Sustainability Report
continued
Gender diversity
The Group is diverse in terms of gender mix,
with women comprising 41% of the total
workforce. ATG is committed to gender pay
equality with employees paid equally for
working in the same jobs. The Remuneration
Committee has also reviewed global gender
pay gaps by region, function and level to
understand any emerging issues. The Group’s
employee base is diverse at the management
level, with six females on our Senior Leadership
Team as defined by the Women Leaders
Review, and one female leader in a senior
management role. As at 30 September 2024,
the Board comprised four males and three
females. Following the appointment of Suzanne
Baxter to Senior Independent Director, the
Group has now met the FCA Listing Rules
requirement for one senior board position to
be held by a woman and having 40% of women
on the board as at 30 September 2024.
Gender diversity statistics (including Mexico office as at 30 September 2024)
Male
Female
Other/ Prefer not to say
Total
No.
%
No.
%
No.
%
%
Board
2024
2023
4
5
57
62
3
3
43
38
100
100
Number of senior positions on the
Board (CEO, CFO, SID and Chair)
2024
2023
3
4
75
100
1
0
25
0
100
100
Senior Management
2024
2023
6
7
86
88
1
1
14
12
100
100
Senior Leadership Team
2024
2023
11
12
65
71
6
5
35
29
100
100
New recruits
2024
2023
56
54
67
63
27
32
33
37
100
100
Total Company
2024
230
59
156
41
100
Ethnic diversity statistics (including Mexico office as at 30 September 2024)
White British or other
White (including
minority-white groups)
Mixed/Multiple/
Other Ethnic Groups
Black/African/
Caribbean/Black
British
Asian/Asian British
Not specified
No.
%
No.
%
No.
%
No.
%
No.
%
Board
2024
2023
6
7
86
88
1
1
14
12
Number of senior positions on the
Board (CEO, CFO, SID and Chair)
2024
2023
3
3
75
75
1
1
25
25
Senior Management
2024
2023
4
5
57
63
1
1
14
13
2
2
29
25
Senior Leadership Team
2024
2023
8
10
47
59
1
2
6
12
3
4
18
24
5
1
29
6
New recruits
2024
2023
12
37
14
45
33
6
40
7
3
3
4
3
1
11
1
13
34
25
41
30
Total Company
2024
159
41
53
14
14
4
30
8
130
33
Ethnic diversity
ATG’s employees are diverse in terms of
ethnicity, with 26% having disclosed as
identifying as non-white (FY23: 24%). We are
committed to increasing ethnic diversity across
all levels throughout the organisation through
recruitment and succession planning. 43%
of our senior management and 24% of our
Senior Leadership Team identified as being
from ethnically diverse backgrounds. We also
satisfied the recommendation of the Parker
Review that at least one Director should be
from an ethnically diverse background, with
John-Paul Savant representing a Eurasian
ethnically diverse background.
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Further Information
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Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Sustainability Report
continued
Investing in and supporting our talent
We aim to ensure that all employees have
access to the training they need to support
their development and where everyone can
be successful. All employees are required
to undertake mandatory training annually
to ensure they understand their legal and
regulatory duties in relation to insider trading,
cyber security and data security. The ATG
Academy is our one-stop-shop offering for
learning opportunities. The Academy is made
up of courses designed for every level and
delivered by internal and external experts. We
offered 900 hours of training to each employee
via 28 Academy courses. We recently also
launched a new Careers Hub on atgPeople
to provide tools and resources to help ATG
employees drive and grown their careers.
All new employees participate in a day one
onboarding meeting with HR, have a 30-day
check in and also attend an orientation
session within their first three months. During
this orientation they have the opportunity to
meet all Executives at ATG.
Performance reviews are conducted at least
twice a year across all employees in the
Group by line managers, to enable meaningful
discussions about an individual’s progress
and career development. Over 90% of the
Group received an annual performance
evaluation. Each year, internal role changes and
promotions are tracked and celebrated via an
internal newsletter. Last year, we achieved 20%
internal mobility and promotion rate, with a
higher rate for female employees.
ATG supports apprenticeship schemes in the
UK and Germany, to offer young people, or
those without the opportunity to study further
education, a placement at ATG. This provides
qualifications, training and on the job corporate
experience in entry level roles.
Political donations and expenditure
The Company and its subsidiaries did not make
any political donations or incur any expenditure
during the year.
Community partnerships
Developing the next generation of talent and
fostering new ways to encourage entrants,
of all backgrounds, into the auction and
technology sectors are important to the future
success of the online auction industry. An
example of this is our support of BADA Friends
– the British Antique Dealers Association
– which provides a platform for the public
to support the work of BADA’s Cultural and
Educational Trust, and to promote learning and
expertise in the fine art and antiques trade.
ATG is a key supporter of auction industry
events and conferences, whether through
sponsorship or provision of expertise. This
included participation in the Industrial
Auctioneers Association events in both
North America and in France.
Charities
In the spring of 2024 employees from our
Lehi office donated their time to the Utah food
bank. Our London employees also participated
in a gifting programme for local charities
during the Christmas season. We also
facilitate hundreds of charity auctions on our
marketplaces each year, waiving our fees to
ensure that all proceeds go to the charities. In
the past 12 months, charity auctions hosted on
our marketplaces have raised over $8.0m for
good causes (FY23: $5.0m).
Employee training
FY24
Hours of mandatory training completed by employees
567
Hours of non-mandatory training completed by employees
312
Percentage of employees who are offered training
100
Employee turnover
Voluntary employee turnover
(permanent employees only)
Total
FY24
FY23
FY22
FY24
FY23
FY22
Europe
10
9
17
17
20
22
N America
47
35
44
73
73
64
S. America
3
4
RoW
Total
60
44
61
94
93
86
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Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
75
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
ATG is committed to operating in a transparent,
responsible and ethical manner, within a strong
governance and compliance framework that
supports strategy and reduces risk.
UK Corporate Governance Code
compliance and Board effectiveness
In FY24, we fully complied with the UK
Corporate Governance Code, except for a
short period of non-compliance following the
resignation of Breon Corcoran as Board Chair
in August 2024, which impacted our Board and
Committee composition. Details of how we
addressed these are set out on page 79. We
also conducted a review of the governance
framework in light of the regulatory changes in
the UK and facilitated an external review of our
Board effectiveness. For further details on this
and to read about our Board, Committees and
corporate governance structures, please see
pages 81 to 82.
Business code of conduct
ATG has a business code of conduct framework
including an employee Code of Conduct and
other policies outlined below. This is combined
with a mandatory employee training
programme for both employees and Board
members, including training on insider trading,
data protection and information security. This
training is repeated each year with every
employee. We are committed to taking all
reasonable steps to prevent unethical practices
and potential risks to our consumers or
customers. We do not conduct business with
any service provider, customer or supplier which
does not align to our values in these areas.
Whistle-blowing
ATG is committed to maintaining the
highest standards of honesty, openness and
accountability both within the organisation
and in all its business dealings. ATG and
its employees must behave honestly, and
customers must be able to have absolute
confidence in us. The Group recognises that
employees have an important role to play
in achieving these goals and we promote a
transparent and open culture to encourage
employees to speak up whenever they
have concerns.
ATG has a whistle-blowing policy which
includes access to a whistle-blowing telephone
service run by an independent organisation,
allowing employees to raise concerns on a
strictly confidential basis. New employees
are made aware of the whistle-blowing policy
when they are on boarded, while existing
employees were reminded about the policy in
the year through the roll out of the updated
ATG handbook. As detailed on page 95, the
Audit Committee receives regular reports on
the use of the service, and any issues that are
raised, the findings of any investigations and
any actions arising. In FY24 and the prior two
years, there were no reports made under the
Group’s whistle-blowing policy during the year.
Anti-bribery and corruption
It is our policy to conduct all of our business
in an honest and ethical manner. We take
a zero-tolerance approach to bribery and
corruption and are committed to acting
professionally, fairly and with integrity in all our
business dealings and relationships wherever
we operate and implementing and enforcing
effective systems to counter bribery and
corruption. Our anti-bribery and corruption
policy is published on our website at www.
auctiontechnologygroup.com. There were no
instances of bribery reported within the Group
during FY24 or the prior two years.
Human rights and modern slavery
ATG has zero tolerance towards modern
slavery, human trafficking, forced or
compulsory and child labour, in our business
and our supply chain. ATG supports the
principles set out in the UN Declaration of
Human Rights and is committed to supporting
human rights through our compliance with
national laws and through our internal policies
which adhere to internationally recognised
human rights principles. Our human rights
and associated policies require respect and
equitable and fair treatment of all persons
we encounter.
All employees are paid above the Real Living
Wage and we safeguard our employees through
a framework of policies including Modern
Slavery, Flexible Working, Equal Opportunities
and Inclusion Policies.
ATG supports the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
We are committed to ensuring that slavery
and human trafficking are not taking place in
any part of our business or our supply chain.
We expect the same commitment and highest
standards of honesty and integrity from our
suppliers, contractors and business partners.
We will not tolerate the mistreatment of people
in our employment and, wherever possible,
employed in our supply chain. We continue
to be compliant with the annual reporting
requirements contained within section 54
of the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
Our Modern Slavery Statement, which is
reviewed and approved by the Board on an
annual basis, can be found on our website
www.auctiontechnologygroup.com. The ATG
People team is responsible for compliance
with our policy.
During FY24 and in the prior two years, no
incidents of modern slavery or human rights
abuse were identified within the Group or our
supply chain.
Sustainability Report
continued
Governance
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
76
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
External audit
Following a competitive tender during FY23 and
a subsequent recommendation from the Audit
Committee and the Board, Ernst & Young LLP
(“EY”) were appointed as auditors for the
financial year FY24 at the Annual General
Meeting held in January 2024. The Group
successfully transitioned to the new auditors
in FY24 as described in the Audit Committee
report on page 95.
Tax transparency
The Group is committed to compliance with
all applicable tax laws and regulations and
manages tax matters in line with our tax
principles as set out in the Chief Financial
Officer’s Review on page 32. The Group’s
taxation policy for conducting its tax affairs
and managing tax risk is published on our
website www.auctiontechnologygroup.com.
The tax policy has been approved by the Board
of ATG and will be reviewed annually, including
a formal consideration by the Audit Committee.
The Chief Financial Officer of the Group takes
overall responsibility for the management of
the tax policy and governance. On a day-to-day
basis, in each local territory where ATG has
a taxable presence, tax is managed by the
Head of Tax and local financial controllers.
In territories where there is no local financial
controller, it is managed by the Group Financial
Controller. The local financial controllers are
supported by external advisers, where
additional support and tax knowledge is
desirable, to assist with areas of complexity
and specialist tax areas. In FY24, taxes borne
by the Group totalled $15.3m (FY23: $11.3m) and
consist of corporation tax, employer’s NICs and
US State Taxes. Taxes collected by the Group
totalled $32.5m (FY23: $24.3m) and consist of
PAYE deductions, employees’ NICs, net VAT and
US Sales Tax collected.
Grievance reporting or escalation
procedures
We aim to create a working environment in
which all individuals enjoy coming to work,
where they can perform at their best, and
where they are free from discrimination or
harassment. We are committed to a culture
where staff can freely report any issue or
concern, and access support via the escalation
procedures we have in place. Our grievance
policy sets out both informal and formal
avenues for addressing concerns. Employees
have access to a external hotline, “Tell Jane”,
where they can freely talk to objective HR
professionals that specialise in bullying and
harassment cases in the workplace. This
service offers employees advice on how to
report issues and if necessary, offer help to
raise this with ATG.
Payments practice reporting
On average, ATG takes 24 days (FY23: 24 days)
to pay our supplier invoices during the
reporting period.
Sustainability Report
continued
ATG is committed to operating
a trusted and responsible
marketplace with safe and
secure technology platforms
Operating a trusted marketplace
As a leading online marketplace, we are
committed to operating a marketplace that is
responsible, reliable and fair and be the trusted
destination for online auction purchases. Our
aim is to provide a valuable platform for our
consumers and customers to ensure we deliver
relevant innovation, protect consumer data and
provide an engaging user experience. Every
service innovation or modification to a platform
is tested to ensure it meets these aims.
Due diligence checks are performed on all
prospective ATG auctioneers to ensure they
meet all relevant regulations and best practice
standards, before they are allowed to list items.
Equally, it is important that auction houses are
protected against fraudulent bidders through
bidder security teams dedicated to minimising
the number of marketplace bidders who
default on their purchases. The internal audit
function audits and reviews these processes
on an annual basis.
We actively seek auctioneer feedback to ensure
that we provide market-leading solutions and
support to our auctioneer partners, including
through a series of one-on-one calls with
our CEO, John-Paul Savant. We also actively
monitor bidder feedback to ensure we keep a
good gauge on bidder sentiment through live
chat functionality.
In FY24, we continued to invest in cyber
security and data security to strengthen our
position, as outlined on pages 54 to 55 of this
report. We have also continued to elevate the
customer experience for both bidders and
auctioneers on our marketplaces including
through the roll out of atgShip and atgXL.
Product quality
Although we have no direct responsibility for
the products sold, their specification or quality,
adherence to their specifications is crucial to
maintaining our strong reputation. The Group
has rules in place with regard to the listing of
prohibited items on its marketplaces, such as
offensive items, illegal firearms and weapons,
and illegal wildlife products. Our restricted
items policy is reviewed on an annual basis,
approved by the Board and is publicly available
on the relevant marketplaces. We employ a
compliance team to monitor adherence to
these rules. The internal audit function audits
and reviews the policy and its application on
an annual basis.
Supplier Principles
In FY24 we developed supplier principles
which outline the fundamental standards
we expect all our suppliers to adhere to,
including in relation to environmental
responsibility, data protection and health
and safety. We will publish these principles
to www.auctiontechnologygroup.com in FY25.
The Strategic Report, comprising the
information on pages 50 to 77 inclusive,
was approved by the Board of Directors
on 26 November and signed on its
behalf by:
John-Paul Savant
Chief Executive Officer
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
77
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
www.auctiontechnologygroup.com
Board independence
Length of tenure
Documents available at:
Chair’s Statement page 79
Remuneration Committee Report page 107
Directors’ biographies page 90
Nomination Committee Report page 102
Sustainability Report page 50
Audit Committee Report page 93
Board gender diversity
Male
4
57%
Female
3
43%
Independent*
3
50%
Non-independent
3
50%
0-3 years
3
43.0%
3-6 years
2
28.5%
6-9 years
2
28.5%
Corporate
Governance
Articles of Association
Matters Reserved to the Board
Terms of Reference for Board Committees
Board Diversity & Inclusion Policy
Modern Slavery Statement
Tax Strategy
Notice of Annual General Meeting 2025
Environmental Policy
*excluding Chair per Code requirements
Board – as at 30 September 2024
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
78
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
78
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Our values
1. Drive Results
2. Create Customer Value
Sco Forbes
Chair
Chair’s Introduction
Corporate Governance Report
On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to
introduce our Corporate Governance Report for
the financial year ended 30 September 2024.
The Company is subject to the UK Corporate
Governance Code and this report sets out our
corporate governance framework and describes
how the Company has applied the principles
and complied with the provisions of the UK
Corporate Governance Code 2018 (the “Code”)
during the year. A copy of the Code can be
found at the Financial Reporting Council’s
website frc.org.uk. The Board has been briefed
on the new UK Corporate Governance Code
published by the FRC in January 2024 which
will apply to the Company from FY26 and from
FY27 for Provision 29. Work has begun to
facilitate compliance from the effective dates.
This report also includes reports from the Audit,
Nomination and Remuneration Committees.
Code compliance
The Board seeks to lead by example and to
achieve the highest standards of corporate
governance by applying all principles of the
Code. I am pleased to report that until 9 August
2024, we complied with the provisions of the
Code in full.
Following the resignation of Breon Corcoran
and my appointment as Chair of the Board on
9 August 2024, there followed a short period
until 19 September 2024, where I continued to
chair the Remuneration Committee, in partial
non-compliance of Provision 32 of the Code,
which provides that the Chair of the Board
cannot chair the Remuneration Committee.
Tamsin Todd and Suzanne Baxter continued
as independent members of the Remuneration
Committee ensuring a continued balance of
skills, experience and robust governance
processes. The Board concluded that it was
in the best interests of the Company for me to
remain as Chair of the Remuneration Committee
for a brief transition period in order to facilitate
an orderly handover to Tamsin Todd, who
assumed the role of Chair of the Remuneration
Committee on 19 September 2024.
Provision 32 of the Code also provides that the
minimum membership of the Remuneration
Committee of a FTSE 350 company should
be three independent non-executive directors
(excluding the Chair of the Board, who
may be an additional member). There was
therefore a period of partial non-compliance
with Provision 32 of the Code from 9 August
2024 until 21 November 2024 while the
Remuneration Committee comprised myself
as Chair of the Board and two independent
non-executive directors. During this period,
the Company carried out a process to appoint
an additional independent non-executive
and, as set out in more detail on page 102 the
Board subsequently appointed Andrew Miller
as an independent non-executive director
and member of the Audit, Nomination and
Remuneration Committees with effect from
21 November 2024 with the Company therefore
return to full compliance with Provision 32 from
that date.
From 9 August 2024 until 21 November
2024, the Company was also in partial
non-compliance with Provision 24 of the
Code, which provides that the Chair of the
Board should not be a member of the Audit
Committee. At that time, the Board concluded
that it was in the best interests of the
Company to maintain the skills, experience and
continuity in the current composition of the
Audit Committee, while it carried out a process
to appoint a new non-executive director.
“We have an open,
collaborative and diverse
culture at ATG, aligned with
the Company’s purpose,
values and strategy.”
The activities of the Sustainability and ESG
Committee can be found in the Sustainability
Report on page 50. This report explains in more
detail the corporate governance structures in
place, the work of the Board and its
Committees in FY24 and our planned focus
for FY25.
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
79
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
3. Find a Smarter, Beer Way
4. Collaborate to Win
5. Empower People to Grow
Read more page 72
“We continue to have a
strong and balanced Board
with appropriate skills,
knowledge, experience
and diversity.”
With effect from 21 November 2024, Andrew
Miller replaced me as a member of the Audit
Committee and the Company was therefore
compliant with Provision 24 of the Code,
with respect to the composition of the Audit
Committee as of 21 November 2024.
Purpose, culture and values
ATG’s purpose is to unlock the value of the
secondary goods market and accelerate the
growth of the circular economy. This is achieved
through the delivery of our strategy, supported
by an effective corporate governance and risk
framework and by our cultures and values.
We have an open, collaborative and diverse
culture at ATG, aligned with the Company’s
purpose, values and strategy. The Board
supports the ATG Values, which articulate
the culture and values across the different
businesses within our Group. Further details
on the ATG Values are set out on page 72.
Board activities during the year
We stated in our FY23 Annual Report that
the Board’s priorities for FY24 were to review
the progress and delivery of the Group
strategy, to continue to review any potential
M&A opportunities, to conduct an externally
facilitated Board effectiveness review, to
review the composition of the Board to ensure
progress to meeting diversity targets, to review
organisation and succession plans for the
Board and the Senior Management Team and to
continue to develop our ESG and sustainability
governance framework. Progress on all of these
priorities is set out within this report.
Board composition
Breon Corcoran stepped down as Board Chair on
9 August 2024. In line with the succession plan
recommended by the Nomination Committee
and approved by the Board and further assisted
by external advisers, the Board approved my
appointment as Breon’s successor as Chair
and Suzanne Baxter’s appointment as Senior
Independent Director from 9 August 2024. I
would like to take this opportunity, on behalf
of the Board, to thank Breon for his Board
leadership and contributions to the Company
during his tenure.
As validated by the external Board effectiveness
review conducted during the year, we continue
to have a strong and balanced Board with
appropriate skills, knowledge, experience and
diversity. We believe that maintaining a diverse
Board is important to our decision-making and I
am pleased to report that our Board composition
is in line with the recommendations from the
original FTSE Women Leaders Review and the
Parker Review.
As at 30 September 2024, 42.9% of the Board
were women and following the appointment of
Suzanne Baxter as Senior Independent Director
on 9 August 2024, at least one senior Board
position is held by a woman. You can read more
about the diversity of our Board, our journey
and our plans for the future in the Nomination
Committee Report on pages 102 to 105.
Annual General Meeting
The Company’s Annual General Meeting (“AGM”)
will be held on Thursday 30 January 2025, an
opportunity for the Board to engage with our
investors. Full details of the AGM, including the
resolutions to be proposed for shareholder
approval, can be found in the Notice of Meeting.
In order to maximise shareholder engagement
and participation, we encourage all
shareholders to cast their votes by proxy, and to
send any questions in respect of AGM business
to investorrelations@auctiontechnologygroup.
com. Shareholders who would prefer not, or are
unable, to attend the AGM in person are invited
to watch and listen to the AGM online via a live
webcast, details for which can be found in the
Notice of Meeting.
I would like to conclude with a personal note
of thanks to all of our people across our
global businesses and my fellow Board
members for their continued support. I very
much look forward to leading the Board into
FY25 and beyond.
Sco Forbes
Chair
26 November 2024
Chair’s Introduction
continued
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
80
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Governance Report
Overview
Compliance with the Code
The Company has assessed itself with
reference to the Code. The Board confirms
that, with the exception of the composition
of the Remuneration and Audit Committee as
highlighted on page 79, the Company applied
the principles and complied with the provisions
of the Code throughout FY24 and up to the
last practicable date. The Board is actively
considering the implications of the new UK
Corporate Governance Code published by
the FRC in January 2024 on the Company’s
governance framework and the operation of
its Committees and governing documents.
Directors’ independence
The Board has determined that all of the
Non-Executive Directors, other than Morgan
Seigler, are free from any business or other
relationship that could impair their independent
judgement and are therefore ‘‘independent
Non-Executive Directors’’ within the meaning
of the Code. The independent Non-Executive
Directors holding shares in the Company are not,
nor do they represent, a significant shareholder.
The Directors believe that the appointment of
Morgan Seigler to the Board by TA Associates,
pursuant to the Relationship Agreement, is
assisting the Group with the implementation of
its growth strategy, particularly given Morgan’s
familiarity with the business, transactional
experience and network of contacts through
TA Associates, which the Directors believe will
assist the Group in sourcing acquisition
opportunities. The Directors further believe
that the terms of the Relationship Agreement
enable the Group to function independently of
TA Associates notwithstanding TA Associates’
appointment of Morgan Seigler to the Board.
Operation of the Board and its Committees
The Board
The Board is responsible for leading and directing the Company and has overall authority for
the management and conduct of its business, strategy and development. The Board is also
responsible for ensuring the maintenance of a sound system of internal controls and risk
management (including financial, operational, compliance and controls relating to cyber and
digital security) and for reviewing the overall effectiveness of systems in place as well as for the
approval of any changes to the capital, corporate and/or management structure of the Company.
Division of responsibilities
The Board currently comprises the Chair, two Executive Directors and five Non-Executive
Directors. There are clear written guidelines around the division of responsibilities and,
in accordance with the Code, the roles of Chair and Chief Executive Officer are held by
separate individuals.
The Board is mindful that the Code lists that
where Non-Executive Directors hold cross-
directorships or have significant links with
other Directors through involvement in other
companies or bodies, this is likely to impair,
or could appear to impair, a Non-Executive
Director’s independence. Accordingly,
during the year, the Board has assessed the
independence of Scott Forbes and Suzanne
Baxter, given that Scott served as independent
Chair and Suzanne as an independent Non-
Executive Director of Ascential plc, a UK
listed company. They were not involved in
executive duties for Ascential plc and each
had a similar obligation to be independent for
Ascential plc as they do for the Company. The
Board did not consider that Scott Forbes’ and
Suzanne Baxter’s positions as independent
Non-Executive Directors of the Company
were adversely impacted by their roles on
the board of Ascential plc and was satisfied
that, notwithstanding these appointments,
they were to be regarded as independent. As
announced on 9 October 2024, following the
acquisition of Ascential plc, both Scott Forbes
and Suzanne Baxter have stepped down from
their respective positions.
Board composition
As at the end of the financial year, our Board
comprised seven members: the Chair, the CEO,
the CFO, three independent Non-Executive
Directors and one non-independent
Non-Executive Director. Half the Board
(excluding the Chair) comprised independent
Non-Executive Directors and the composition
of all Board Committees (with the exception
of the Audit Committee and Remuneration
Committee) complied with the Code. As
announced on 21 November 2024, Andrew
Miller was appointed as a Non-Executive
Director and member of the Audit Committee,
Remuneration Committee and Nomination
Committee and the Company was compliant
with the Code following his appointment.
Board balance and independence
Chair
Leadership and governance of the Board
Ensures constructive relationships between the Executive and Non-Executive
Directors
Ensures appropriate engagement with key stakeholders
Sets the agenda and tone of the Board meetings
Reviews the Board’s effectiveness and monitoring the Non-Executive Directors’
independence
Oversees the succession and composition of the Board
Chief
Executive
Officer
Day-to-day responsibility for managing the business
Reviews and recommends the Group’s strategy to the Board and ensures its
implementation
Provides regular updates to the Board on all significant matters
Delivers the Group’s sustainability strategy
Delegation of authority to the Group’s Senior Management Team
Responsible for effective and ongoing communication with shareholders
Senior
Independent
Director
Acts as a sounding board to the Chair
Acts as an intermediary for the other Board members and/or shareholders and
other key stakeholders
Evaluates the Chair’s performance as part of the annual Board effectiveness review
Non-
Executive
Directors
Provide independent judgement, knowledge and commercial advice
Constructively challenge the Executive Directors and monitor their performance
against strategy
Manage agendas and provide input into key matters and issues through the Board
Committees
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
81
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Governance Report
continued
Senior Independent Director
As set out above, the Code recommends that
the board of directors of a company should
appoint one of the independent Non-Executive
Directors to be the Senior Independent Director
in order to provide a sounding board for the
chair and to serve as an intermediary for the
other directors when necessary. The Senior
Independent Director has an important role on
the Board in leading on corporate governance
issues and being available to shareholders
if they have concerns which have not been
resolved through the normal channels of the
Chair, Chief Executive Officer or other Executive
Directors. Suzanne Baxter succeeded Scott
Forbes as the Senior Independent Director of
the Board with effect from 9 August 2024.
The Commiees
The Board has established a number of
Committees, whose terms of reference
are documented formally and updated as
necessary and can be found on the Company’s
website at www.auctiontechnologygroup.com.
The Committees report back to the Board on
their activities at the Board meeting following
the respective Committee meeting. The
composition of each Committee is designed
to ensure common membership between
Committees with shared responsibilities.
Audit Commiee
The Audit Committee is chaired by Suzanne Baxter
and other members at the date of this report are
Tamsin Todd, and Andrew Miller. Andrew Miller was
appointed as a member from 21 November 2024.
Scott Forbes was a member of the Committee
throughout the year and stood down following
Andrew Miller’s appointment.
The Audit Committee meets at least four
times a year, and more frequently if required.
The quorum necessary for the transaction
of business at any meeting of the Audit
Committee is two members.
The responsibilities of the Remuneration
Committee are covered in its terms of
reference, which include determining and
monitoring the strategy and policy on
remuneration, termination, performance-
related pay, pension arrangements, share
incentive plans, and remuneration reporting
and disclosure.
There is further detail on the Remuneration
Committee’s activities on pages 107 to 109.
Nomination Commiee
The Nomination Committee is chaired by
Scott Forbes, and its other members are
Pauline Reader, Suzanne Baxter, Tamsin Todd
and Andrew Miller. During the year, in line with a
recommendation from the Board effectiveness
review as described in more detail on page 83,
the membership of the Nomination Committee
was expanded to include all independent
Non-Executive Directors. Suzanne Baxter and
Tamsin Todd were appointed to the Nomination
Committee on 21 March 2024. Andrew Miller
was appointed to the Nomination Committee
on 21 November 2024. The Nomination
Committee meets at least twice a year,
or more frequently if required. The quorum
necessary for the transaction of business
at any meeting of the Nomination Committee
is two members.
The responsibilities of the Nomination
Committee include reviewing the size, structure
and composition of the Board and ensuring
that the Board comprises the right balance
of skills, knowledge, diversity and experience;
identifying and nominating for approval
candidates to fill any vacancies on the Board;
giving full consideration to the organisation and
succession planning for the Group; and making
recommendations to the Board concerning
membership of the Audit Committee and the
Remuneration Committee in consultation with
the Chairs of those Committees.
There is further detail on the Nomination
Committee’s activities on page 103.
Appointments to the Audit Committee are
made by the Board, on recommendation by
the Nomination Committee and in consultation
with the Chair of the Audit Committee.
The Audit Committee’s role is to assist the
Board with the discharge of its responsibilities
in relation to financial reporting, including
reviewing the Group’s Annual and Interim
Consolidated Financial Statements and
accounting policies, including climate-related
financial disclosures, the internal control
framework, internal and external audits,
reviewing and monitoring the scope of the
annual audit and the extent of the non-audit
work undertaken by external auditors, advising
on the appointment of external auditors
and reviewing the effectiveness of the risk
management framework, internal audit,
internal controls, whistleblowing and fraud
systems in place within the Group.
There is further detail on the Audit
Committee’s activities on pages 94 to 95.
Remuneration Commiee
The Remuneration Committee is chaired by
Tamsin Todd and at the date of this report its
other members are Scott Forbes, Suzanne
Baxter and Andrew Miller. Andrew Miller was
appointed as a member from 21 November
2024. The Remuneration Committee meets
at least twice a year, or more frequently if
required. The quorum necessary for the
transaction of business at any meeting of the
Remuneration Committee is two members.
The Remuneration Committee has delegated
responsibility from the Board for determining
the policy for Executive remuneration and
setting remuneration for the Chair, the
Executive Directors and the Senior Management
Team. It reviews the remuneration of our
people and related policies and the alignment
of incentives and rewards with culture, taking
them into account when setting the policy for
Executive Directors’ remuneration.
Sustainability and ESG Commiee
The Sustainability and ESG Committee
was established in FY22 as the Sustainability
and Climate Risk Committee primarily to
support the implementation of the TCFD
recommendations for corporate reporting,
but more widely to cover climate-related
developments and wider sustainability topics
as may be required. The terms of reference
of the Committee were expanded in FY23
to encompass corporate responsibility,
environmental and wider ESG matters, and
its name changed to the Sustainability and
ESG Committee. The Committee is chaired
by Richard Lewis, Chief Operating Officer,
and membership comprises Suzanne Baxter,
Tom Hargreaves, and representatives from
finance, investor Relations, internal Audit, HR
and the Company Secretary. The Committee
meets at least twice a year.
There is further detail on the Sustainability
and ESG Committee’s activities on pages 51.
Disclosure Commiee
The role of the Disclosure Committee is to
ensure timely and accurate disclosure of all
information that is required to be disclosed
to the market to meet the legal and regulatory
obligations and requirements arising from
the listing of the Company’s securities on
the London Stock Exchange, including the
UK Listing Rules, the Disclosure Guidance
and Transparency Rules and the Market
Abuse Regulation framework.
The Disclosure Committee meets at such
times as shall be necessary or appropriate,
as determined by the Chair of the Disclosure
Committee or, in his or her absence, by any
other member of the Disclosure Committee.
The Disclosure Committee is chaired by the
Chief Executive Officer John-Paul Savant and
its other members are Chief Financial Officer
Tom Hargreaves, the Company Secretary, and
any one Non-Executive Director.
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
82
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Composition, succession
and evaluation
Board appointments
The Nomination Committee is responsible for
the appointment of new Directors to the Board
and the Committees, in conjunction with the
Chair of each Committee, to ensure that any
new appointment provides the right balance
of capabilities in line with the Board’s policy
on diversity. The Nomination Committee is
also responsible for ensuring succession plans
are in place at Board and senior management
level. The Nomination Committee will consider
the time commitment of any potential new
appointment to the Board to ensure they are
able to dedicate sufficient time to fulfil their
role. All Directors are expected to attend all
Board and relevant Committee meetings. The
Chair considers new external appointments
which may impact existing time commitments
and the Board must approve them. There are
no Directors whom the Nomination Committee
considers to be over-extended or unable to
fulfil their duties to the Board.
The Board and Nomination Committee kept
under review the balancing of the Board Chair’s
roles as Chair of Ascential plc and Cars.com
following his appointment as Board Chair in
August 2024. As announced on 9 October 2024,
Scott Forbes stepped down from Ascential plc
following its acquisition.
Andrew Miller was appointed to the Board on
21 November 2024, further details on this can
be found on page 104.
Election and re-election
In accordance with the Company’s Articles
of Association and the Code, the Directors
intend to stand for election and re-election
at the Company’s forthcoming AGM and for
annual re-election at each subsequent
AGM of the Company. In addition, prior to
recommending their re-election to shareholders,
Aims and objectives
The primary aims in undertaking the external
effectiveness review were to identify areas
of Board performance that could be improved
as the Company matures, to bring insights to
enable us to continue to progress in building
an effective and trust-based relationship
among Board members and between the
Board and the Senior Management Team;
to support the growth of ATG as a listed
company by ensuring there is strength in the
governance and culture; and to benchmark
our governance arrangements.
Timeline and process
The process began in October 2023 with
initial briefings between the Board Chair and
the Company Secretary to agree the scope
and design of the review, following which the
process began to identify a suitable partner
to assist ATG in undertaking its first externally
facilitated Board effectiveness review.
Four firms were invited to submit proposals
to conduct the Board effectiveness review
and having evaluated the firms, including the
strength of the team, the proposed evaluation
model, their credibility and reputation, the
proposed fee and experience with newly listed
businesses, a clear preference for IBE resulted
from the process. Following a recommendation
by the Nomination Committee and approval
by the Board in November 2023, references
were taken, and IBE was selected and
appointed in December 2023 as the firm
to conduct the review.
In January 2024, IBE conducted interviews
with Board members and key non-Board
contributors including the Senior
Management Team, Board and Committee
meeting attendees, the Company’s external
auditors and remuneration consultants and
the Company Secretary to gain a broader
perspective of the Board’s work. IBE analysed
the output of these interviews and prepared a
number of reports which set out the findings
the Nomination Committee, on behalf of the
Board, carried out an annual re-assessment of
each of the Non-Executive Directors.
Taking account of the recommendations of the
Nomination Committee and the results of the
Board evaluation carried out during the year
under review, the Board considers that all the
current Directors continue to be effective, are
committed to their roles, and have sufficient
time to perform their duties. The Board therefore
recommends the election and re-election of all
Directors. Directors’ biographies can be found on
pages 90 to 92 and in the Notice of Meeting.
Induction and continuing development
The Company Secretary in conjunction with
the Chair is responsible for ensuring that
newly appointed Directors receive appropriate
induction training, in accordance with the Code
and the Board’s own induction policy. Any
newly appointed Director will also be invited
to participate in a range of meetings with
members of the Senior Management Team to
familiarise themselves with the business, its
strategy and goals. Board meetings generally
include one or more presentations from the
Senior Management Team on areas of strategic
focus.
During the year, the Board was also provided
with opportunities to gain further insights
into areas that supported its decisions during
the year, such as updates on the 2024 UK
Corporate Governance Code.
Annual Board and Commiee
effectiveness review
The Board regularly reflects on the continuing
effectiveness of its activities and has
conducted internal effectiveness reviews since
admission to listing in 2021. As signposted in
our FY23 Annual Report, the Board committed
to undertaking an externally facilitated review
within three years of IPO. In early 2024 the
Board engaged Independent Board Evaluation
(“IBE”) to conduct an externally facilitated
review of its performance.
and recommendations for the Board and
each of its Committees. The findings were
fed back to the Board Chair, the Committee
Chairs and the CEO in February 2024 ahead
of Board discussion in March 2024 where IBE
presented its reports to the full Board and
individual committees.
Results
The overall feedback was largely positive and
reflected a Board that is relatively young in its
development as a listed company board. The
review confirmed that Board and Committee
composition is balanced with relevant domain
skills, an international viewpoint, mature and
experienced Non-Executive Directors, and a
constructive shareholder presence.
Two main themes emerged as the areas
for potential development. Firstly, around
ensuring that Board processes and culture
are conducive to holding management to
account to allow focus on operational delivery.
Secondly, a review of the type of information
provided in Board papers and presentations
was recommended. The Board supported all
recommendations contained within the report
and a number of specific actions were agreed.
The table below sets out the recommendations
and actions taken up to the date of this report:
Each Board committee was included as part
of the effectiveness review and each received
a detailed report. The Committee Chairs led
separate discussions of their review findings
with their respective committees. The
recommendations and findings of the review in
relation to the Audit, Remuneration, Nomination
and Sustainability and ESG Committees can be
found on pages 93, 107, 102 and 50, respectively.
Governance Report
continued
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
83
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Governance Report
continued
The Board and each of its Committees have
reviewed the suggestions and outcomes of the
Board evaluation and developed implementation
plans where appropriate, as set out in detail
above and in the reports of the Committees
on pages 93, 107, 102 and 50, Good progress
is being made across all governance forums.
Lisa Thomas of IBE is a member of the
International Register of Board Reviewers. Neither
Lisa Thomas nor IBE have any connection with
the Company or individual Directors.
The Board intends to comply with Code
Provision 21 whereby an externally facilitated
evaluation will take place at least every three
years. The Board intends to run an internally
facilitated Board performance review in FY25.
Board leadership and Group purpose
The Company is led by an effective Board,
which is responsible for leading and directing
the Company and has overall authority for
the management and conduct of its business,
strategy and development. The strategy is
intended to drive long-term sustainable growth
and meet the interests of our key stakeholders.
The Board has established an effective
governance and risk framework. The
framework ensures that our people are able
to raise any matters of concern, and that all
policies and practices are consistent with the
Company’s values.
The Group’s purpose, as detailed throughout
the Annual Report, is to unlock the value of
the secondary goods market and, in doing so,
to accelerate growth of the circular economy.
Through our eight online marketplaces we enable
a large, diverse and fragmented buyer base to
bid on a wide range of assets curated by expert
auctioneers. In turn, auctioneers are able to
access a global buyer base in a cost-efficient
way, through our specialised marketplace
technology. Every year our marketplaces ensure
that millions of used items are resold for re-use
or repurpose, preventing waste and carbon
Recommendation
Focus
Action
Board focus and
agenda
Agree a set of Board objectives for 2024, setting out the
milestones and timelines the Board thinks appropriate
for key discussions, using the Board planner to align it
with the Board’s objectives and share it with the Senior
Management Team.
The Board priorities for FY24, as set out in the FY23 Annual
Report, were reviewed, highlighted and discussed at every
Board meeting. See page 87 for further details on how each
item was addressed.
Recognise the value of agenda-free time to inform discussion
and encourage debate on important Board topics, deepen
cohesion by using a combination of pre-meetings of Non-
Executive Directors before each Board meeting to allow the
Chair to explore with the Non-Executive Directors where the
areas of focus are and to understand likely lines of enquiry,
and introduce post-meeting reviews, to exchange views on
how the meetings went.
Informal Board events and Non-Executive Director only
events and dinners have been scheduled throughout the year.
A private post-Board meeting review has been built into every
Board agenda. These meetings are attended by the Non-
Executive Directors only, following which the Chair provides
feedback to the Executive Directors during his one-to-one
sessions.
Board and Commiee
composition
Further strengthen the composition of Board Committees
by appointing all independent Non-Executive Directors as
members of the Nomination Committee to bring further
diverse input into discussions. In association with the
Nomination Committee and Audit Committee, consider
succession planning for the composition of the Audit
Committee as part of the proposals to appoint an additional
Non-Executive Director, potentially requiring any new Non-
Executive Director to be financially qualified, and/or with plc
experience of governance and risk management.
All independent Non-Executive Directors are now on the
Nomination Committee, following the appointment of
Suzanne Baxter and Tamsin Todd to the Committee on
21 March 2024 and Andrew Miller on 21 November 2024.
Andrew Miller was appointed to the Nomination Committee,
Audit Committee and Remuneration Committee on
21 November 2024.
Review membership and composition of the Sustainability
and ESG Committee (a sub-committee of the Audit
Committee).
As set out in the Sustainability Report on page 50, the
Board considered the recommendation of the Sustainability
and ESG Committee (“SEC”) in May 2024 that the SEC was
operating effectively, with robust reporting and effective
delegations. The Board agreed that the SEC should continue
in its current form and with its current membership, with the
Chief Operating Officer continuing as Chair, subject to regular
review of Board oversight of ESG matters.
Board materials
Initiate a review of the format of Board papers, including KPIs,
the balance of narrative and data and contextual information,
milestones for operational delivery and timings for the
circulation of papers.
The Board Chair and Committee Chairs have provided
proactive and practical feedback to the Executive Directors
on the format and content of their reports. Relevant KPIs
and dashboard data have been refined. The purpose of each
paper is clearly identified to ensure that the Board’s time is
optimised. Background information is provided in appendices
if not essential for Board discussion and decision-making.
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
84
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
emissions from the manufacturing of new
items. By extending the lives of millions of items,
we are accelerating the growth of the circular
economy and creating a new global channel of
sustainable commerce. Our employees come to
work each day to make their piece of the auction
ecosystem better by making buying or selling
second-hand goods easier and faster. Their
efforts lead to more auctioneers selling more
assets, in more categories, online. This generates
a virtuous circle of growth between auctioneers
and bidders searching across an incredible range
of specialised and unique second-hand items;
all reducing the need to buy new. Our goal of
unlocking this value underpins our entire business
strategy as we continue to commit to leading the
structural transformation of the auction industry
as a trusted partner to auctioneers, bidders, our
people and our community.
Our purpose informs our business strategy and
commitment to being a supportive and trusted
partner to the industry, our people and our
community. Our strategy, which is to lead the
evolution of the auction industry from offline
to online by providing auctioneers with the
most complete and impactful set of integrated
online services and capabilities in the world,
sets the direction the Group takes in order to
help it achieve its purpose. The strategy and
the purpose set out above are the key drivers
to the Board’s decision-making and actions and
ensuring these are implemented successfully;
this is particularly key when integrating a new
business into the Group as part of the Group’s
M&A strategy. Further information on the
Group’s strategy can be found in the Strategic
Report on pages 22 to 27.
The following table details how the Company
has applied each of the five principles
underpinning Board leadership and Company
purpose. The Company has complied with the
provisions of the Code for the financial year,
except as set out on page 79 of this report.
Pages
Board leadership and Company purpose
The Board is responsible for setting and delivering the Group’s strategy and monitoring how it
is performing against the agreed strategy for the benefit of all its stakeholders. The Board is
also responsible for defining, monitoring and overseeing the Group’s culture and ensuring it is
aligned to the purpose and strategy. Further information on how opportunities and risks to the
future success of the business have been considered and addressed, the sustainability of the
Company’s business model, and how its governance contributes to the delivery of its strategy
can be found as follows:
Chair’s Statement
08
Chief Executive Officer’s Statement
10
Business Model
20
Six Strategic Growth Drivers
23
Key Performance Indicators
28
Principal Risks and Uncertainties
37
Sustainability Report
50
Governance, Board and Group purpose
81
Committee Reports
93
Division of responsibilities
The Chair leads the Board which includes an appropriate combination of Executive Directors and
Non-Executive Directors. The Non-Executive Directors provide constructive challenge, strategic
guidance and advice, and have sufficient time to meet their Board responsibilities. The Board has
identified certain “reserved matters” that only it can approve. Other matters, responsibilities and
authorities have been delegated as appropriate, and there are relevant policies and processes in
place for the Board to function effectively and efficiently. The Board has clear written guidelines
on the division of responsibilities between the Chair, Chief Executive Officer, Senior Independent
Director, Board and Committees. Further information on the application of these principles can
be found as follows:
Division of responsibilities
81
Board attendance
88
Board independence
78
Board Committees
88
Composition, succession and evaluation
A rigorous, effective and transparent appointment process is in place, which, together with the
effective succession plans, promotes diversity of gender, social and ethnic backgrounds, cognitive
and personal strengths. A comprehensive and tailored induction programme is in place for new
Directors joining the Board. The induction programme facilitates their understanding of the
Group and the key drivers of the Group’s performance. The Board has delegated responsibility
to the Nomination Committee to keep under regular review the composition of the Board and
its Committees. The Nomination Committee is also responsible for succession planning and
the Group’s policy on diversity and inclusion. Further information on the application of these
principles can be found as follows:
Board biographies
90
Board composition
81
Nomination Committee Report
102
Sustainability Report
50
Governance Report
continued
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
85
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
The Board schedules six meetings each year to
allow the Board sufficient time to discharge its
duties, with ad hoc meetings convened as and
when required. There were six scheduled Board
meetings during FY24, excluding ad hoc
meetings for urgent matters and time-sensitive
approvals and matters approved via written
resolution. Information on Directors’ attendance
at Board and Committee meetings is set out on
page 88. Board meetings are held in person at
our London offices. Pauline Reader attends the
majority of meetings in person but given her
location, sometimes joins Board and Committee
meetings via videoconference when necessary.
To ensure that the Board has good visibility of
the key operations of the business, members
of the Senior Management Team attend Board
meetings regularly to provide presentations on
areas of strategic focus and progress against
our strategic growth drivers.
The Non-Executives hold private post-meeting
reviews after every meeting, following
which the Chair provides feedback to the
Executive Directors.
Governance Report
continued
Pages
Audit, risk and internal control
The Board has established formal and transparent policies and procedures to ensure the
independence and effectiveness of both internal and external audit functions. It satisfies itself
on the integrity of financial and narrative statements. The Board presents a fair, balanced and
understandable assessment of the Group’s position and prospects. It has established procedures
to manage risk, oversee the internal control framework and determine the nature and extent of
the principal risks of the Group. The Board has delegated responsibility to the Audit Committee to
oversee the Group’s financial framework, financial controls and internal controls, and that policies
and procedures are in place to manage risks appropriately. Further information on the application
of these principles can be found as follows:
Principal Risks and Uncertainties
37
Risk Management
35
Audit Committee Report
93
Remuneration
The Company has designed the remuneration policies and practices to support strategy and
promote long-term sustainable success. Executive remuneration is aligned to the interests of our
shareholders and to the Company’s purpose and values and is clearly linked to the successful
delivery of our long-term strategy. There is a formal and transparent procedure for developing
executive remuneration policy and determining Director and Senior Management remuneration.
Directors are able to exercise independent judgement and discretion when authorising remuneration
outcomes, taking into account Company and individual performance and wider circumstances. The
Remuneration Committee is responsible on behalf of the Board for determining and monitoring the
strategy and policy on remuneration, termination, performance-related pay, pension arrangements,
share incentive plans to support the Group’s strategy, and remuneration reporting and disclosure.
Further information can be found as follows:
Directors’ Remuneration Report
110
Board meetings
The Chair, in conjunction with the CEO
and Company Secretary, plans an annual
programme of business prior to the start of
each financial year, to ensure that essential
topics are covered at the appropriate time
and that space is built in advance to provide
the Board with the opportunity to hold in-
depth discussions and deep dives on key
strategic issues.
Prior to each Board and Committee meeting,
each member receives the agenda and
associated Board papers to support those items
on the agenda. The Chief Executive Officer
provides an update on key commercial issues
and projects across the Group on behalf of
the Senior Management Team and the Chief
Financial Officer provides updates on the current
and forecast financial position at each meeting.
The Committee Chairs also provide updates on
the work of the Committees and highlight any
areas which require consideration by the full
Board. Other matters are added to the agenda
of scheduled Board meetings, or Board meetings
convened as and when necessary if a specific
time-critical item needs consideration. Board
papers are circulated electronically in advance of
meetings to ensure sufficient time for the Board
to absorb, thus facilitating robust discussion.
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
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Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Board activities in FY24
The areas of focus discussed during the year under review included:
Board areas of focus
Strategy
Integration of Vintage Software LLC (trading as EstateSales.NET (“ESN”))
(acquired in February 2023) into the Group.
The opening of a new international tech hub in Mexico.
Regular reports from the CEO at each meeting detailing the performance of
the business against the strategic goals and six strategic growth drivers and
key programme updates.
Review and refreshment of the Group’s strategy, priorities and budget
at offsite Senior Management Team meetings, which were thoroughly
scrutinised by the Board at meetings held in July and September 2024.
Continuous oversight of the M&A strategy at every Board meeting and the
evaluation of potential targets.
Discussion and challenge of strategic updates from members of the Senior
Management Team around the Group’s two sectors, Industrial & Commercial
and Arts & Antiques, and across the roll out of key strategic initiatives. These
included atgPay, atgShip, the transition to a single technology platform
programme, atgXL and the development of integrated bidding, the roll out
of marketing initiatives, product development, milestone updates on people
matters, IT strategy and future plans including IT security and resourcing.
Review of an externally commissioned report on the auction landscape and
the ATG brand.
Risk and risk
management
A thorough review of the Group’s risks and the potential impacts on the
business was undertaken as part of the interim and annual results process.
A review of the risk register, principal and emerging risks and risk appetite
statement, was conducted by the Audit Committee and reported to the
Board.
Consideration of the Audit Committee’s recommendations following the
external assessment of ATG’s cyber security practices conducted by
PwC, along with the response from the Company’s Head of Information
Architecture and Security on ATG’s response and integration.
Approval and oversight of the consolidation of a number of service providers
and systems, including Salesforce agreements, helpdesk service providers,
internal communications portals and finance and HR systems.
Financial
performance
Approval of the full year results for FY23 and interim results for FY24.
Receipt of reports from the CFO at each meeting detailing the Group’s
performance and progress against budget and against analyst consensus.
Consideration of the FY25 annual business plan and budget.
Recommendation to shareholders of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP
as the Company’s auditors.
Governance Report
continued
Board areas of focus
Governance
Approval of the resolutions to be put to shareholders at the AGM and
reviewed investor feedback received.
An externally facilitated evaluation of the Board, its Committees and the
Chair’s performance, including the selection of the firm to conduct the
review and agreement of resulting actions.
A review of all Committees’ terms of reference.
Approval of the Board diversity policy.
Approval of the Modern Slavery Statement.
Completed the annual review of the Board’s suite of governance policies.
A review of the governance framework and consideration of the impact
of regulatory changes, including changes to the UK Corporate Governance
Code, changes to the UK listing regime and the Economic Crime and
Corporate Transparency Act.
A review of the composition of the Sustainability and ESG Committee.
Commenced the process to appoint additional Non-Executive Directors to
the Board.
Stakeholders
Feedback from shareholders following the FY23 full year results and FY24
interim results and feedback from investor roadshows and evaluation of
market guidance.
Received share register analyses and movements within the register.
Engagement with major shareholders via the Remuneration Committee
regarding executive remuneration, as well as engagement between major
shareholders and the Board Chair and Senior Independent Director.
Received two updates from the designated Non-Executive Director
following formal engagement with employees and agreed outputs.
Consideration of the results of the employee engagement survey and pulse
surveys.
Oversight of the launch of atgPeople, the Group’s new global HR and payroll
systems, bringing efficiencies and better employee user experiences.
Received a deep dive into ESG delivered by the Chair of the Sustainability
and ESG Committee.
Monitored the impact of the change of presentational currency of financial
statements from FY24 onwards from pound sterling to US dollars.
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
87
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Diversity, equity and inclusion
The Board is committed to maintaining a
Board with a diverse set of skills, experiences
and backgrounds, as set out in the Board
diversity policy. The Board diversity policy
applies to the Board’s Remuneration, Audit and
Nomination Committees as well as the Board,
and the Nomination Committee and the Board
review the Board diversity policy on an annual
basis. The Board diversity policy covers wider
diversity characteristics beyond gender and
ethnicity, including disability, sexual orientation,
socio-economic background and cognitive
diversity, all of which are taken into account
in the Board nomination and appointment
process. Our Board diversity policy can be
found on our website.
During the year, the Committee considered
the revised minimum target of 40% women
on listed company boards and the provision
that at least one of the positions of Chair, CEO,
CFO or SID is filled by a woman. The Board is
pleased to disclose that the Company achieved
both targets as at the end of the financial
year. Our female representation on the Board
increased from 37.5% to 42.9% during the year
and since the appointment of Suzanne Baxter
as Senior Independent Director, at least one
senior Board position is now held by a woman.
Further details on the application of our Board
diversity policy can be found in the Nomination
Committee Report on page 104. A description
of our approach to diversity for our wider
employee base is set out in our Sustainability
Report on pages 73 to 74.
Employee engagement
An employee engagement survey was
conducted during the year, the results of which
were shared with the Board in January 2024.
The Board welcomed the increase in overall
participation to 84%. There had been a slight
decline in the overall engagement score from
76% to 67% and the Senior Management Team
had studied the results and discussed the
Culture
Our innovation and collaboration-driven culture
is core to our success. The Board plays a key
role in ensuring that this culture is aligned
with the strategy and that behaviours are
maintained or adequately adapted to meet the
needs of future and evolving operations. Over
the last year, the Group has maintained its
collaborative culture, successfully integrating
ESN into our business. Our collaborative
approach has been demonstrated by the
performance of the business during this time,
successfully delivering new products and
services to its customers.
As the Group expands, our international
workforce has grown and the Board believes
that it is important to ensure that the culture
is embedded across the Group and adapted
as necessary, to cater for differing regulations
and requirements within different countries.
The Board leads by example and ensures that
the appropriate policies and procedures are in
place to maintain the Group’s culture.
The Board welcomed and supported the roll
out of the refreshed ATG Values during the
previous year, providing a “North Star” for all
at ATG. ATG and its companies have a diverse
range of cultures and as well as maintaining
some of the unique aspects of each of our
companies, certain elements have been
consolidated into common values across
all of our businesses, an articulation of the
environments our people work in and what it
means to be part of “OneATG.”
The Group monitors its culture through the use
of employee surveys, employee engagement
sessions, data on employee turnover and via
any breaches of our codes of conduct and
through our whistleblowing policy. The Board is
satisfied that the policy, practices and behaviour
throughout the business are aligned with the
Company’s purpose, values and strategy.
Stakeholder Engagement page 43
Each Director’s attendance at Board and
Committee meetings is considered part of the
formal annual review of their performance.
When a Director is unable to attend a Board or
Committee meeting, they communicate their
comments and observations on the matters
to be considered in advance of the meeting
via the Chair, the Senior Independent Director
or the relevant Board Committee’s Chair for
raising, as appropriate, during the meeting.
Board priorities for FY25
The key items proposed for FY25 are to:
Continue to provide the Executive Directors
and Senior Management Team with the
support and guidance they require to deliver
the Group strategy, and review the progress
and delivery of the Group strategy.
Continue the process to appoint a new
Non-Executive Director.
Continue to review any potential M&A
opportunities.
Review the implementation of a risk
management and internal controls
framework to support the declaration of
effectiveness of material controls that the
Board will be required to make from FY27
onwards.
Conduct an internally facilitated Board
effectiveness review.
Complete the induction of new
Non-Executive Directors.
Review the composition of the Board to
ensure progress to meeting diversity targets.
Review succession plans for the Board and
the Senior Management Team.
Continue to develop our ESG and
sustainability governance framework.
Board and Commiee meetings and aendance in FY24
As detailed on page 82, the Board has in place a number of Committees that support the Board in
providing oversight of specific areas of Audit, Remuneration, Nomination and Sustainability. The
table below details the number of scheduled meetings held during the year under review and the
attendance by each Director at the meetings they were eligible to attend.
Name
Board
Audit
Commiee
Remuneration
Commiee
Nomination
Commiee
Sustainability and
ESG Commiee
Breon Corcoran
5/5 (100%)
4/4 (100%)
2/2 (100%)
John-Paul Savant
6/6 (100%)
Tom Hargreaves
6/6 (100%)
1/2 (50%)
Scott Forbes
6/6 (100%)
5/5 (100%)
4/4 (100%)
2/2 (100%)
Suzanne Baxter
6/6 (100%)
5/5 (100%)
4/4 (100%)
1/1 (100%)
2/2 (100%)
Pauline Reader
6/6 (100%)
2/2 (100%)
Tamsin Todd
6/6 (100%)
5/5 (100%)
4/4 (100%)
1/1 (100%)
Morgan Seigler
6/6 (100%)
Notes
(i)
The attendance above reflects the number of scheduled Board and Committee meetings held during FY24. The Board held
four additional ad-hoc Board meetings and four sub-committee meetings during the reporting period to address urgent
matters, which were attended by all Directors or at least the requisite quorum. This includes matters resolved by unanimous
written resolution. The Remuneration Committee and the Nomination Committee held one and four additional ad-hoc
meeting during the reporting period respectively.
(ii) Suzanne Baxter and Tamsin Todd were appointed as members of the Nomination Committee from 21 March 2024.
(iii) Breon Corcoran resigned from the Board on 9 August 2024.
Governance Report
continued
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
88
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Governance Report
continued
To ensure that all members of the Board have
good visibility of the Company’s operations,
members of the Senior Management Team
regularly attend Board meetings to provide
updates on their areas of expertise and the
execution of the Group’s strategy.
Shareholder engagement
The Board recognises the importance of engaging
with existing and potential shareholders. The
Director of Investor Relations has defined an
investor relations programme that aims to
ensure that existing and potential investors
understand the Group’s business model,
strategy and performance. The Board ensures
a clear understanding of the views of investors
through the various methods set out in the
Stakeholder Engagement section of this report
on page 48. The Executive Directors made formal
presentations on the full year and interim results
(in December 2023 and May 2024), which were
made available on the Company’s website. The
results presentations were followed by formal
investor roadshows. A continuous programme of
meetings with existing and potential investors,
fund managers and sell-side analysts covers a
range of topics including strategy, performance,
outlook and ESG matters. The Chair and Senior
Independent Director are also available for
meetings with major shareholders and the Chair
of the Remuneration Committee consulted with
shareholders during the year in relation to the
executive remuneration policy.
The Board is kept informed of shareholder and
analyst feedback, via regular updates from the
CFO, as well as share register analyses and
market reports provided by the Company’s
brokers, J.P. Morgan Securities plc and
Deutsche Numis.
Private shareholders are encouraged to access
the Company’s website for reports and business
information and to contact the Company via
email with any queries. Contact information can
be found on the inside back cover.
themes and feedback. Results were also shared
with employees, with focus groups and listening
sessions organised as part of the delivery of the
action plan. Overall results continued to show
a high level of satisfaction amongst our
employees and the areas of collaboration,
passion and respect received high scores.
Further details on the survey results and
resulting actions can be found in the
Sustainability Report on page 50. A further
short pulse survey was conducted in June 2024,
the results of which showed an improvement
in the engagement score to 73%.
The Board recognises the importance of
continuing to engage with the Group’s
workforce and considers employee
perspectives as part of Board discussions
and decision-making. Details of how the
workforce has been consulted in relation to
specific Board decisions, and the outcome
of that engagement, is set out in the s.172
Statement on pages 43 to 49. Tamsin Todd is
the Board’s designated Non-Executive Director
for workforce engagement, as defined in the
Code. During FY24, Tamsin met with a cross-
section of the Group’s employees, spread
across operations in Europe, North America and
Mexico. These sessions are scheduled at least
twice a year and cover topics such as culture,
strategy, remuneration and any other key issues
the employees wish to raise. At the scheduled
Board meetings following these sessions,
Tamsin reported on key themes, and the Board
discussed issues and actions to be taken,
delegating to Board Committees and executives
where appropriate. Outputs and actions arising
from these sessions are set out on page 44.
Further feedback is solicited from employees
through the annual employee engagement
survey and pulse surveys, the results of which
are reviewed by all teams and via feedback
sessions in smaller focus groups. Actions are
identified and progress and trends are tracked
over time.
Whistleblowing
The Group’s whistleblowing policy allows
employees to raise relevant concerns
confidentially and if preferred, on anonymous
basis. The whistleblowing policy is regularly
reviewed by the Audit Committee and the
Board. The policy, which was updated during
the year and cascaded to all employees,
includes access to local whistleblowing services
run by independent organisations. The Audit
Committee receives regular reports on the use
of the service, issues that have been raised
and the findings of any investigations and any
actions arising. Our whistleblowing policy can be
found on our website. During FY24 there were
no whistleblowing reports raised via the service
(FY23: none).
Conflicts of interest
In accordance with the Company’s Articles
of Association, the Board formally records
any conflicts of interest, and all Directors are
given the opportunity to raise any conflicts of
interest at the start of every Board meeting.
Any conflicts that are raised will be considered
for authorisation, assessed by the Board and a
decision taken on the extent to which any such
conflicts can be managed.
Any external appointments or other significant
commitments of the Directors require the prior
approval of the Board. Further details about the
Board’s external commitments are detailed on
pages 90 to 92 of this report and details about
the Directors’ interests in the shares of the
Company are detailed on page 121.
Independent advice
Directors can raise concerns at Board meetings
and have access to the advice of the Company
Secretary. There is a procedure in place, when
needed, for Directors to obtain independent
professional advice at the Company’s expense.
No such requests were made during this
financial year.
Directors’ and Officers’ Liability insurance
is maintained for all Directors.
Internal controls statement
The Board, assisted by the Audit Committee,
has carried out a review of the effectiveness
of the Group’s systems of internal control
during the year ended 30 September 2024 and
the period up to the date of approval of the
Consolidated Financial Statements contained
in the Annual Report. Following this review, the
Board concluded that no significant failings
or weaknesses had been identified and plans
were in place to address any minor issues
flagged for improvement.
Compliance with the Disclosure
Guidance and Transparency Rules
The disclosures required under DTR 7.2 of the
Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules
are contained in this report, except for those
required under DTR 7.2.6 which are contained
in the Directors’ Report.
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
89
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Commiee membership key
Nomination Committee
Audit Committee
Remuneration Committee
Disclosure Committee
Sustainability and ESG
Committee
Committee Chair
W
Designated Non-Executive
Director for workforce
engagement
Board of Directors
Appointed to the Board:
25 January 2021
Independent:
No
Commiee memberships:
(Chair)
How John-Paul supports the Company’s strategy and long-term success
John-Paul is passionate about the role ATG can play in accelerating the
circular economy through digital transformation of the auction industry
and in unlocking the incredible value present in the massive secondary
goods market. His focus is building on ATG’s leadership position through
creative strategies to enhance the value ATG provides to the auction
ecosystem as it undergoes the structural shift online, and on building
focused, collaborative management teams with the ability to execute.
He is committed to a shared success model and is excited by building
capabilities and services that allow both the auction industry and ATG to
grow profitably together. He leads and guides the ATG team with a clear
vision to grow ATG into a true online global market leader, to pursue a
strategy that steadily enhances ATG’s competitive position, to invest
against the six strategic growth drivers, and to build and develop the
team capable of delivering the value.
Current external commitments:
None
About John-Paul:
John-Paul joined the Group as CEO in February 2016, bringing 20 years of experience in digital
marketplaces and commerce. He was appointed to the plc Board prior to IPO in January 2021.
John-Paul spent almost 10 years at eBay/PayPal, where he served in a number of leadership
roles, latterly as PayPal’s Vice President of Product, Experience, and Consumer Engagement
for EMEA. He also held leadership roles at other online businesses. John-Paul’s most recent
role before joining the Group was as CEO of Think Finance UK. John-Paul began his career at
J.P. Morgan in New York after graduating from Georgetown University in Washington DC. He
earned his MBA at the University of Chicago.
John-Paul Savant
Chief Executive Officer
Appointed to the Board:
26 February 2021
Appointed as Chair:
9 August 2024
Independent:
Yes
Commiee memberships:
(Chair since 14 August 2024)
(Chair until 19 September 2024)
(Member until 21 November 2024)
How Sco supports the Company’s strategy and long-term success
Scott is an experienced UK and US listed company chair and independent
director with 25 years of digital commerce and online marketplace
experience across multiple sectors. Scott’s extensive experience as an
independent non-executive director in listed environments supported the
Board in navigating its early years as a listed company. He has a proven
track record for capital allocation and the businesses he has chaired have
delivered substantial value to shareholders. He is recognised for his
collaborative leadership, with a focus on business operating strategy as well
as on creating strong, diverse and effective boards. Other Board members
value Scott’s patience and sound judgement, along with his experience in
M&A, finance and business operating strategy. Scott is respected for his
ability to constructively challenge and contribute to the Company’s strategy,
promoting an open and collaborative environment across the Board.
Current external commitments:
Chair of Cars.com LLC
About Sco:
Scott was appointed as a Non-Executive Director and Senior Independent Director at IPO in
February 2021. He was appointed Chair on 9 August 2024, at which point he stepped down as
Senior Independent Director. Scott has over 40 years’ digital marketplace experience across
multiple sectors in strategy, operations, finance and M&A capacities including 15 executive
years at Cendant Corporation, formerly the largest provider of travel and residential property
services worldwide. Scott established Cendant’s international headquarters in London in 1999
and led this division as group managing director until he joined Rightmove plc, where he was
Chairman from July 2005 to December 2019. He is currently Chair of Cars Commerce, Inc. and
was Chair of Ascential plc until 9 October 2024 following the completion of its sale to Informa.
Scott has also been Chair of Orbitz Worldwide and Non-executive Director of Travelport
Worldwide, Inc and has chaired nomination and remuneration committees multiple times
as well as serving as member for each of nomination, remuneration and audit committees.
Sco Forbes
Chair
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
90
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Appointed to the Board:
25 January 2021
Independent:
No
Commiee memberships:
How Tom supports the Company’s strategy and long-term success
Tom is passionate about driving both organic and strategic acquisitive
growth, with extensive experience of both M&A and business funding. He is
well regarded for his deep understanding of the business and its drivers. He
leads a strong and well-respected finance team, creating alignment across
different locations and ensuring a robust and resilient finance function.
Current external commitments:
None
About Tom:
Tom joined the Group in January 2018 as Group CFO and was appointed to the plc Board prior
to IPO in January 2021. He joined from Yell, where, as CFO, he was a key member of the
leadership team which led their digital transformation. Prior to this, Tom worked at Vodafone
in the UK and across EMEA before becoming CFO of Vodafone Romania. In all, Tom has over 10
years’ CFO experience, trained with Arthur Andersen, qualified as a Chartered Accountant and
holds an MBA. As announced on 10 October 2024, Tom will be stepping down as a Director and
Chief Financial Officer in early 2025.
Tom Hargreaves
Chief Financial Officer
Appointed to the Board:
4 February 2022
Appointed as Senior Independent Director:
9 August 2024
Independent:
Yes
Commiee memberships:
(Chair)
How Suzanne supports the Company’s strategy and long-term success
Alongside her significant financial experience and qualifications, Suzanne’s
expertise in growing businesses and corporate governance is invaluable to
the Board. Suzanne’s prior board experience enabled her to successfully
step into the role of Audit Committee Chair immediately upon appointment
in 2022 and she continuously provides constructive challenge to the
Executive Directors and support and guidance to the finance function.
Current external commitments:
Independent member of PwC Public Interest Body, Audit Oversight Body and Audit Partner
Remuneration and Admissions Committee and Audit Committee
External Board member of Pinsent Masons LLP
About Suzanne:
Suzanne has substantial listed company experience and expertise gained in both executive
and non-executive roles. She has held a range of commercially focused financial, M&A and
operational roles, including serving as CFO of Mitie Group plc, where she supported the business
through transformative acquisitive and organic growth. Suzanne is currently an Independent
Member of PwC‘s Public Interest Body, Audit Oversight Body, Audit Partner Remuneration and
Admissions Committee and Audit Committee. She is the External Board Member of Pinsent
Masons International LLP. Suzanne served as a Non-Executive Director and Audit Committee
Chair for Ascential plc until October 2024 and also previously served as a Non-Executive
Director and Audit Committee Chair of WH Smith plc. A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered
Accountants in England and Wales, she trained with PwC and specialised in Corporate Finance
at Deloitte. Suzanne also has a wealth of experience in workplace inclusion and was formerly
a Commissioner for Equality and Human Rights for Great Britain.
Suzanne Baxter
Senior Independent
Non-Executive Director
Appointed to the Board:
2 December 2021
Independent:
Yes
Commiee memberships:
How Pauline supports the Company’s strategy and long-term success
Pauline brings over 20 years of marketing and e-commerce experience
through roles at a range of global consumer businesses and in investment
banking. Pauline is highly regarded by the Board for her marketing,
consumer and diversity insights. Her knowledge of the digital realm and of
global consumer trends provides a platform for her to bring fresh thinking
and perspectives to discussions about ATG’s next stage of growth.
Current external commitments:
Reader Consulting
About Pauline:
Pauline most recently served as Chief Marketing Officer of Podium, a communication and
payments platform. Before Podium she served as the Senior Vice President of Marketing for
Stitch Fix, where she led the brand, creative, customer acquisition, customer retention and
marketing technology departments. Prior to these roles, she held senior marketing positions
at Minted, Kabbage and eBay. Pauline received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from
Princeton University in 2002 and began her career at Morgan Stanley in 2002, before joining
Thomas Weisel Partners as a research analyst, covering companies in the retail sector.
Pauline Reader
Independent
Non-Executive Director
Board of Directors
continued
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Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
91
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
How Morgan supports the Company’s strategy and long-term success
Morgan has provided continuity during the transition of ATG to a listed
business. Morgan actively assists the Board with the implementation of
the Company’s growth strategy, particularly given his knowledge of the
business, transactional experience and network of contacts through TA
Associates, which the Directors believe will assist the Group in sourcing
acquisition opportunities. Morgan’s role facilitates good shareholder
engagement with TA Associates.
Current external commitments:
Co-head of TA Associates’ EMEA Technology
Non-executive director of W.A.G. Payment Solutions plc
About Morgan:
Morgan joined the Group in February 2020 in connection with the acquisition of the Group by
TA Associates and represents TA Associates on the Board. Morgan was appointed to the plc
Board prior to IPO in January 2021. He is an active investor of Compusoft, IFS, RLDatix and
Workwave and formerly served on the boards of (or was actively involved with) 10bis, AVG
Technologies, Bigpoint, CMOSIS, eCircle, ION Trading, LIST, M and M Direct and SmartStream
Technologies. Morgan received a BA degree in Economics from Yale University and an MBA
degree from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
How Tamsin supports the Company’s strategy and long-term success
Tamsin’s digital transformation background, coupled with her questioning
mindset and collaborative style, has proved a valuable asset to the Board.
Tamsin brings broad international experience and a passion in excellence in
customer service and the employee voice, as well as extensive knowledge
and interest in the impact of diversity in the business and on the Board,
where she provides insight and challenge. Tamsin fully embraces the role
of designated Non-Executive Director for workforce engagement, providing
an open channel of communication for employee issues to be considered
by the Board.
Current external commitments:
Non-executive Director of INTO University Partnerships
About Tamsin:
Tamsin has held product and commercial roles in high-growth, technology-enabled companies
including Amazon, Microsoft and Betfair. She was previously Interim Chief Operating Officer at
dunnhumby UK and from 2017 to 2023, she was CEO of Findmypast, one of the world’s largest
genealogy companies, where she oversaw a period of growth and built a product-oriented,
mission-led organisation. Prior to this she was Chief Customer Officer at Addison Lee and
Managing Director of TUI-owned Crystal Ski Holidays, leading digital transformations with a focus
on data, technology platforms and customer experience. Tamsin is also a Non-Executive Director
of INTO, a leader in international higher education, and she was formerly a Trustee of the Imperial
War Museums and Chair of its Trading Company. She holds an MBA from Imperial College London
and an AB from Princeton, where she has served in senior leadership roles in the university’s
volunteer community.
Board of Directors
continued
How Andrew supports the Company’s strategy and long-term success
Andrew is an experienced CEO, CFO and non-executive director and has a
wealth of experience across a number of consumer sectors. He has
extensive experience in technology and digital transformation and this has
been key in every business he has been involved in over the last two
decades. Along with his significant M&A experience, particularly in digital
business, Andrew brings valuable strategic, operational and financial
insight and robust challenge to the Board.
Current external commitments:
CEO of Motability Operations Group plc
Non-executive director Channel 4 Corporation
About Andrew:
Andrew is currently CEO of Motability Operations Group plc and a Channel 4 Corporation non-
executive director where he is also Audit Chair. Previously, Andrew served as non-executive
director and Audit Committee Chair for the Automobile Association plc and Ocean Outdoor Media
plc. He was both Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Guardian Media Group and
Chief Financial Officer of online marketplace business Autotrader. His experience covers business
strategy, executive and financial leadership.
Appointed to the Board:
18 January 2021
Independent:
No
Commiee memberships:
None
Morgan Seigler
Non-Executive Director
Appointed to the Board:
4 February 2022
Independent:
Yes
Commiee memberships:
(Chair since 19 September 2024)
Tamsin Todd
Independent
Non-Executive Director
Appointed to the Board:
21 November 2024
Independent:
Yes
Commiee memberships
(From his date of appointment
21 November 2024)
Andrew Miller
Independent
Non-Executive Director
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
92
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Our external audit was put out to competitive
tender during FY23. Details on the audit tender
process were set out in our FY23 Annual
Report. Following recommendations from
the Audit Committee and the Board, Ernst &
Young LLP (“EY”) were appointed as auditors for
the financial year FY24 at the Annual General
Meeting held in January 2024. I would like to
thank Deloitte for their support and service
to the Group during their tenure as external
auditor and for their assistance in the transition
to EY. Additional time has been taken by the
Committee and the management team this
year to ensure an orderly handover to our
new auditors.
The Committee dedicated time to considering
the changes to the UK Corporate Governance
Code issued by the FRC in relation to the role
of the Board in monitoring the Company’s risk
management and internal control systems and
framework. Further work in this area is planned
for FY25, notably in the area of formalising a
framework to monitor and identify the Group’s
material controls.
As Chair of the Audit Commiee,
I am pleased to present our report to
shareholders on the role and key activities
undertaken by the Audit Commiee during
the year ended 30 September 2024.
The Committee fulfils a vital role in the Group’s
governance framework. It provides independent
challenge and oversight of the Group’s financial
reporting processes, its internal control and
risk management frameworks, the internal
audit function and the relationship with the
external auditor.
This report outlines how the Committee
discharged the duties delegated to it by the
Board and explains the key matters considered
by it in doing so.
The Group has continued to make progress in
consolidating and standardising its processes,
systems and controls. Key activities in the
year have included the launch of the Group’s
new finance consolidation system, the
implementation of a global reconciliation
platform, changes to the structure of the
finance team and presentation of project
plans to begin the migration of the US finance
systems to the Group finance platform
during FY25. In addition, the Committee and
the internal audit function have continued
to monitor the development of the control
framework across the Group as well as
undertaking a post implementation review of
the acquisition of ESN.
With effect from 1 October 2023, the Group
began presenting its results in US dollars,
better reflecting the trading and financial
position of the Group given the majority of
the Group’s revenue and external financing is
denominated in US dollars. The Committee
has been central to providing oversight of this
change and further details can be found on
page 97.
During FY24 the Committee participated in
an external evaluation of the Committee’s
performance. The Committee received a
detailed report, and I discussed the review
findings with my fellow Committee members
and the Board. Further details can be found
on page 83.
The Sustainability and ESG Committee
continued to report to the Committee during
the year. The Group’s disclosures in respect of
its TCFD reporting requirements are provided
in the Sustainability Report on pages 56 to 71.
This report provides further information on
the matters mentioned above and on other
activities and matters considered by the Audit
Committee during the year under review,
as well as those proposed for FY25. This
report should be read in conjunction with the
external auditor’s report on pages 132 to 140
and the Consolidated Financial Statements
on pages 141 to 178. I am satisfied that the
activities the Committee has undertaken
during FY24 as set out in this report meet
the requirements of the Minimum Standard
for Audit Committees published by the FRC
in 2023.
My fellow Committee members and I would be
happy to answer any questions about the work
of the Committee at the forthcoming AGM.
Suzanne Baxter
Audit Committee Chair
26 November 2024
“The Audit Committee
is focused on ensuring
that there is a robust
financial control and risk
management framework
in place to support the
Group’s strategy.”
Suzanne Baxter
Audit Committee Chair
Members
2
Number of scheduled
meetings aended
1
Suzanne Baxter
100%
Scott Forbes
100%
Tamsin Todd
100%
1.
In total, all Committee members attended all meetings
they were eligible to attend during the year.
2.
Andrew Miller was appointed to the Committee on
21 November 2024.
Audit Committee Report
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
93
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Audit Committee Report
continued
Role of the Audit Commiee
The Committee is an essential part of the
Company’s governance framework. Its role is to
support the Board by considering and reviewing
the quality and integrity of the Group’s financial
reporting; to oversee the operation of the
accounting, financial reporting and internal
control environment; to approve and oversee
the internal audit function and its work; and
to monitor the appointment of the external
auditor and to review the effectiveness and
quality of the external auditor’s work.
Audit Commiee composition
and meetings
The Committee is comprised solely of
independent Non-Executive Directors in
accordance with Provision 24 of the UK
Corporate Governance Code. As Chair, a Fellow
of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in
England and Wales, a former CFO of a FTSE
250 company and an experienced Audit
Committee Chair, I have recent and relevant
financial experience. Scott Forbes has over
35 years’ experience in operations, finance,
mergers and acquisitions and as set out in
her biography, Tamsin Todd has a wealth of
pertinent business experience. The members
of the Committee all provide a breadth of
financial, commercial and sector expertise,
thereby enabling the Committee to meet its
responsibilities and the requirements of the
Code. Further information about the experience
and qualifications of each member of the
Committee can be found on pages 90 to 92.
The Board, via the Nomination Committee,
reviewed the structure, size and composition
(including skills, knowledge, experience and
diversity) of the Audit Committee during FY24.
As a result of this review, along with the
external review of the effectiveness of the
Audit Committee conducted in early 2024 and
detailed on page 83, the Board concluded that
at that point, it was satisfied with the structure,
size and composition of the Audit Committee
and that the Committee as a whole has
knowledge and competence relevant to
ATG’s business and to the sector in which the
Company operates. As set out in the Corporate
Governance Statement on page 79, following
the resignation of Breon Corcoran as Chair and
the appointment of Scott Forbes as Chair, the
Company was in partial non-compliance with
Provision 24 of the UK Corporate Governance
Code, which provides that the Chair of the
Board should not be a member of the Audit
Committee. At that time, the Board concluded
that it was in the best interests of the
Company to maintain the skills, experience and
continuity in the current composition of the
Audit Committee. As set out in more detail on
page 102, the Board undertook a process to
appoint an additional Non-Executive Director
with financial, governance and risk
management experience. Andrew Miller was
appointed as a Non-Executive Director on
21 November 2024 and replaces Scott Forbes
as a member of the Audit Committee.
The Committee has a clear set of
responsibilities that are set out in its terms of
reference, which are available on the Group’s
website, www.auctiontechnologygroup.com.
The Company Secretary acts as Secretary
to the Committee.
Meetings are held at least four times a year
to coincide with key events, in particular the
public reporting and audit cycle for the Group.
The attendance details on page 88 reflect the
number of scheduled Committee meetings
held during FY24. I report to the Board on the
business conducted at the previous Committee
meeting and inform the Board about the
discussions and any recommendations
made by the Committee.
The Commiee’s key activities during
the year ended 30 September 2024
The Committee has established an annual
plan linked to the Group’s financial year and
reporting cycle. This is continually reviewed
to ensure that it is kept up to date and is
refreshed as the business evolves.
At the invitation of the Committee, the Chair, the
Chief Financial Officer, Chief Executive Officer
and senior representatives of the finance and
management teams also attend meetings, as
do representatives of both internal and external
audit. The Committee holds regular meetings
with the external auditor and Head of Internal
Audit without management present, and these
discussions assist in ensuring that reporting and
risk management processes are subject to
rigorous review throughout the year.
The Committee received updates on, discussed
and debated a range of topics during the five
meetings it held during the year, as
summarised as follows:
Financial reporting
Considered whether the Annual Report and
the interim report, taken as a whole, are fair,
balanced and understandable, provide
shareholders with the information necessary
to assess the Group’s position, performance,
business model and strategy, and considered
the completeness of the included disclosures.
Received and considered reports from
management on the key estimates and
judgements made in the interim report and
in the annual Consolidated Financial
Statements. The Committee challenged the
assumptions made, discussed alternative
treatments, reviewed proposed disclosures
and considered the opinion and work
performed by the external auditor and other
professional advisers. Further details of the
challenges raised by the Committee are
outlined in the key areas of focus for FY24
on pages 96 to 98.
Provided oversight of the change in the
Group’s presentational currency from pound
sterling to US dollars with effect from
1 October 2023.
Reviewed and challenged the overall
presentation of APMs in the Annual
Report including evaluating the clarity
and appropriateness of definitions and
reconciliations.
Considered the outputs of tax advice, in
particular on intra-group debt structuring,
tax provisioning, corporate simplification and
the impact of foreign exchange both at the
subsidiary and at the Group level.
Reviewed and concluded on the
appropriateness of the Group’s capitalisation
policies and processes for internally
developed software costs, in accordance
with the accounting standards guidance.
Reviewed and challenged management’s
forecasts, stress tests and assumptions in
support of the use of the going concern basis
for preparation of the financial statements
contained in the Annual Report and interim
report.
Recommended that the Board approve the
viability statement after consideration of the
basis of preparation and management’s key
assumptions and stress tests. Further details
of the key considerations made by the
Committee are summarised on page 99.
Considered the report on the review
undertaken by the FRC’s Audit Quality Review
(“AQR”) team of the Company’s former auditor
Deloitte’s audit of the Company’s FY23
financial statements, which identified no key
findings and one area for improvement. Further
details of this review are set out on page 95.
Considered the mandatory requirements for
TCFD reporting and the Group’s disclosures
in that regard and ensured alignment with
the Sustainability and ESG Committee in
responsibilities and reporting.
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Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
94
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Audit Committee Report
continued
Received updates on the implementation of
a corporate reporting consolidation system
and the migration to the Group accounting
system for US entities.
Risk management and internal control
Monitored and reviewed the Group’s internal
controls framework and risk management
processes, including the risk appetite and
operational risk register.
Received reports on, and considered the
implications for, the Company of the
introduction of the UK Corporate Governance
Code in January 2024, including the
requirements of Provision 29 in relation to the
effectiveness of material controls and the UK
Government’s Economic Crime and
Corporate Transparency Bill.
Compliance and governance
Participated in and considered the
recommendations of an external review into
the Committee’s own performance and
effectiveness.
Monitored and received reports on the
Group’s fraud prevention processes and
considered the application, accessibility and
effectiveness of the whistleblowing policy.
Received assurances from the Group’s Data
Protection Officer on the mitigation of key
data protection risks, and from the Chief
Operating Officer on the controls around and
application of the prohibited items policy.
Received reports on the activities of the
Sustainability and ESG Committee and
considered its approach to the compilation of
and assurance regarding TCFD related data
and wider ESG matters across the Group.
Reviewed the Minimum Standard for Audit
Committees published by the FRC and
reviewed Committee procedures to ensure
alignment.
Reviewed and recommended for approval
updated terms of reference.
Internal audit
Considered the effectiveness, resourcing
and budget of the internal audit function,
approved the annual review of the internal
audit charter.
Reviewed and approved the internal audit
plan for FY24, ensuring that it was
appropriately planned, resourced and
effective, along with a three-year outline
internal audit plan.
Reviewed the proposed internal audit
programme for FY25, ensuring that it
was adequately aligned to the Group’s
principal risks.
Reviewed internal audit reports on financial
and IT controls, business continuity and
disaster recovery, integration of acquisitions,
and payroll processes, noting findings and
actions by priority.
The Committee challenged management on
its proposed responses to the reports, the
timeliness of that response and the resource
levels focused on addressing the matters
identified.
Authorised an external expert’s review of the
Group’s cyber security practices, including an
assessment against the National Institute of
Standards and Technology (“NIST”)
cybersecurity framework.
The Committee met privately with internal
audit without management present on two
occasions, with regular additional meetings
between the Head of Internal Audit and the
Audit Committee Chair through the year.
Monitored and reviewed the effectiveness of
the Group’s internal audit function.
Assessed the updates to the Global Internal
Audit Standards that were released in
January 2024 and mapped these against the
current internal audit function’s processes to
ensure alignment.
External audit
Oversaw, coordinated and monitored the
transition from Deloitte to EY as external
auditor with effect from FY24.
Reviewed the plans and the reports of the
external auditor on the Company’s interim
and year-end reporting.
The Committee met privately with the
external auditor EY without management
present, to discuss their work and
relationship with the Group. Separate
meetings were also held between the
external auditor and the Chair of the Audit
Committee throughout the year. Meetings
with the outgoing auditor were held at the
end of the FY23 reporting cycle and in
connection with the FRC’s AQR review.
Assessed the effectiveness of the FY23 audit
process and any lessons for EY to take
forward.
The Committee also reviewed and approved
the appointment terms and remuneration of
the external auditor and the appropriateness
and operation of the policy on the supply of
non-audit services.
Audit quality
The Committee monitors engagements with
external stakeholders relevant to the
Committee’s areas of oversight, including the
FRC. During the year, the FRC’s Audit Quality
Review (“AQR”) team reviewed the Company’s
former auditor Deloitte’s audit of the Group’s
FY23 financial statements as part of its annual
inspection of audit firms. As Audit Committee
Chair, I met with the FRC’s AQR team at the
commencement of their review, in line with
the regulator’s normal practice. The Audit
Committee received and reviewed the
summarised output from the AQR team
which identified no key findings and one
area for improvement of limited significance.
The inspection identified good practice in
the Company’s use of specialists to assist
in UK and US taxation. The area of limited
improvement identified related to the basis
for analysing commission revenue for a US
component. Deloitte provided a response to
the FRC’s AQR team and the Company’s current
auditor EY has taken account of the response.
Whistleblowing policy
As referred to in the Corporate Governance
Statement, the whistleblowing policy was
updated during the year. The policy allows
employees to raise concerns on a strictly
confidential basis, without fear of recrimination
and protection from retaliation. Each jurisdiction
has access to local whistleblowing services run
by independent organisations. The policy is part
of the employee handbook and is highlighted to
all new employees. The Audit Committee
receives regular reports from Internal Audit on
the use of the service, issues that have been
raised and the findings of any investigations and
any actions arising. During FY24 the Committee
received additional assurance from the
Chief People Officer on the application and
communication of the whistleblowing policy.
The Committee reviewed the policy and
subsequently confirmed that the policy and
supporting processes remained appropriate.
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Key areas of focus for the Audit Commiee during the year ended 30 September 2024
Significant judgements and estimates
A key role of the Committee is to consider whether suitable accounting policies have been adopted by the Group and the reasonableness of the judgements and estimates that have been made by
management in producing and presenting the Group’s financial statements. The Committee, having received and reviewed papers from management and the external auditor, identified the areas set
out in the table below and note 2 as the key areas of significant accounting judgement and/or estimation made by the Group during the year.
Significant accounting estimates and judgements
Key issue considered
How the issue was addressed by the Audit Commiee
Goodwill impairment reviews
As disclosed in note 12, the Group’s goodwill and other intangible asset
balance was $834.3m at 30 September 2024.
At each reporting date, or as required, an assessment of the risk of
impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets is undertaken comparing
the book value of each asset with its recoverable amount (being the higher of
value in use and fair value less costs to sell). Value in use is determined with
reference to projected future cash flows discounted at an appropriate rate.
The derivation of the cash flows and the discount rate involve a significant
degree of estimation uncertainty. The definition of the cash-generating units
to which the cash flows and discount rates are applied is also considered as
part of the impairment assessment.
The resulting calculations are sensitive to the assumptions made in respect
of the forecasts of future cash flows, the discount rate and long-term growth
rate applied to the cash flows. The headroom has reduced for the Auction
Services CGU to $0.9m (30 September 2024 $7.4m).
Management presented the Committee with a detailed impairment paper outlining the overall impairment indicator assessment and the
key inputs to the discounted cash flow models at 31 March 2024 for the interim reporting, and 30 September 2024 for the year end
reporting. Key inputs include the rationale for the cash-generating unit allocations, the future cash flows, the discount rate and the
long-term growth rate.
The discount rate was calculated by an external expert and their full reports were circulated to the Committee and external auditor for
review and consideration. Management provided an overview of the inputs to the discount rate which had driven the movement at each
reporting period. The Committee challenged and considered the discount rate for the Auction Services CGU in particular due to the
sensitivity of the model to a change in any one of the key input assumptions.
The forecasts used within the impairment models are consistent with the Group’s FY25 budget and longer-term forecasts which were
approved by the Board in October 2024. Management provided a detailed overview of the Auction Services performance in FY24 and the
change in strategic direction for the business along with the considerations and assumptions included in the future forecasts.
Management summarised the factors which had impacted the level of headroom on each of the CGUs over the carrying value from 30
September 2023, which predominantly arose from the net impact of the reduced discount rate, one year’s amortisation charge and lower
cash flows over the forecast period.
Management presented a sensitivity analysis test to highlight the movement required in each of the key inputs, discount rate, five year
adjusted EBITDA CAGR and long term growth rate, which would result in an impairment of the CGU, i.e. there being no headroom between
the value in use calculation and the carrying value of the asset.
The Committee reviewed and assessed the papers presented by management and the external auditor on the matter of impairment,
including reviewing the historical accuracy of management’s forecasting and challenging the basis of the assumptions used. Following this
review, alongside challenge of management and enquires with the external auditors, the Committee was satisfied that no impairment was
required at 30 September 2024.
Given the sensitivity of the impairment test for the Auction Services CGU to a movement in any one of the key assumptions the
Committee specifically considered and discussed the proposed disclosures on this matter and challenged the external auditor and
management as to their completeness. Following this active discussion, the Committee concurred with the disclosures proposed by
management. These disclosures are set out in note 1 and note 12.
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Annual Report 2024
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continued
Other areas of focus
In addition to the significant accounting estimates and judgements the Committee also focussed on a number of other key accounting and reporting matters for FY24. These are summarised in the table below.
Other areas of focus
Key issue considered
How the issue was addressed by the Audit Commiee
Presentational currency
On 17 May 2023, the Group announced that from the beginning of the current
financial year, 1 October 2023, it would be changing the currency in which it
presents its financial results from pound sterling to US dollars. The Group’s US
dollar denominated earnings account for over 80% of the Group’s revenues and
profits. This change reduces the impact of currency movements on reported
results. In accordance with IAS 8, Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting
Estimates and Errors, this change in presentation currency was applied
retrospectively.
In accordance with the provisions of IAS 21, “The Effects of Changes in Foreign
Exchange Rates”, the historic consolidated financial information has been
represented from pound sterling to US dollars as detailed in note 1.
There was no impact to the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Profit or
Loss as a result of the restatement.
During FY23 the Committee was consulted on the proposals to change the Group’s presentation currency from pound sterling
to US dollars from 1 October 2023 so as to provide greater transparency of the Group’s performance and to reduce foreign
exchange volatility.
The Committee also noted the planned timeline for implementation and reviewed the approach and the implementation plan.
Additionally, the Committee considered the external reaction to the change, including reviewing draft communications. Having
considered these matters, the Committee recommended the change of presentation currency to the Board for approval.
In FY24 management outlined the process undertaken for retranslating the historical financial statements for FY22 and FY23 and
provided the Committee with the draft restated primary financial statements. The external auditors provided an overview of their
work performed on the retranslation. The Committee challenged management and the external auditor to ensure the restatement
calculations were complete prior to the restated primary financial statements being published on the Group’s website in December
2023. The Committee also reviewed the restated financial statements and notes to the financial statements as part of their review
of the FY24 Annual Report, prior to Board approval.
Functional currency and impact on deferred tax
Within the Consolidated Financial Statements there is a deferred tax credit
on unrealised foreign exchange differences of $8.1m (FY23: $8.8m) arising
from US holding companies with pound sterling as their functional currency
for the Consolidated Financial Statements but US dollar functional currency
under US tax rules.
Per the US tax basis these holding companies included an unrealised foreign
exchange loss of $30.6m on intra-group loans denominated in pound sterling
totalling £246.2m (FY23: $34.6m on intra-group loans of £295.6m). Unrealised
foreign exchange differences are not taxable until they are realised, giving rise
to deferred tax (see note 19). On 25 September 2024, the intra-group loan
was redenominated into US dollars and a loss of $0.7m realised. From this
date there is no foreign exchange exposure on this loan and deferred tax
liability at 30 September 2024 is $nil.
Given the significant impact on the Group’s financial results from the unrealised foreign exchange on the deferred tax asset recognised,
management circulated an updated calculation to explain the movements in the balance during the year. A paper was also presented by
management and external advisers on the tax considerations made prior to the redomination of the loan from pound sterling to US dollars.
In FY24 the Committee requested reconfirmation from the Group’s external tax advisers and external auditor that the proposed treatment
of the deferred tax asset and the classification of where this should be recognised in the financial statements, continues to remain
appropriate in line with the accounting standard guidance.
The Committee has reviewed the disclosures in these financial statements to ensure that there is appropriate explanation for how the
deferred tax has arisen and a sensitivity analysis has been included in the foreign exchange risk in note 22 to highlight the impact on the
Group’s financial statements if the pound sterling had strengthened or weakened against the US dollar. As the intra-group loan has been
redominated and there will therefore be no exchange rate fluctuations on this loan in FY25 onwards.
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Audit Committee Report
continued
Other areas of focus
Key issue considered
How the issue was addressed by the Audit Commiee
Capitalisation of internally generated soſtware
In line with its strategy, the Group has continued to invest in the development
of its technology platforms during the year. This investment has been
focused on enhancing the user experience of both bidders and auction
houses and on enhancing the technical functionality of the marketplaces
and technology stacks operated by the business.
The Group capitalises the cost of software development where it meets the
capitalisation criteria under IAS 38 ‘Intangible Assets’ and it is in line with
internal accounting policies. Capitalised costs are subsequently written off
over the useful life of the software.
The total additions to internally capitalised software for FY24 were $10.8m
(FY23: $10.8m). Management has had to make judgements and assumptions
when assessing on whether development costs meet the capitalisation
criteria and on measuring and allocating those costs to relevant projects,
or whether they should be written off in the year in the Statement of Profit
and Loss.
Management presented papers during the year to the Committee outlining the process that is undertaken to review software
development costs and to identify costs that meet the capitalisation criteria under IAS 38 ‘Intangible Assets’. Management explained
the implementation guidance (SIC-32) had been considered which supports IAS 38 specifically around website costs.
A summary was also provided of the total capitalised expenditure during the year, broken down by the key projects with details of the
nature of each project.
The Committee considered the procedures and controls in place in accounting for capitalising internally generated software, including
those relating to the capitalisation of employee costs and in assessing the carrying amounts and remaining useful economic lives of
previously capitalised intangible assets.
The Committee recognises that technology development is in line with the Group’s strategy and supports the generation of future
revenue for the Group. It is familiar with the nature of the key capital projects being undertaken to improve the user experience and to
enhance the functionality of core technology with the Group.
The Committee enquired whether any of the new development costs result in previously capitalised projects becoming obsolete and
therefore require an impairment. It also challenged management on the nature of costs capitalised (and those expensed) and the
consistent application of the Group’s accounting policy. The Committee also sought the perspective of the external auditor on the
judgements made by management on the costs capitalised for each identified project area and whether the capitalisation criteria had
been appropriateness met. No material exceptions were noted and recommendations for process enhancements in future years were
accepted by management.
Overall, the Committee supported the methodology adopted and conclusions reached in identifying and accounting for costs that
meet the capitalisation criteria under IAS 38.
Alternative performance measures (“APMs”)
The Group uses a number of APMs in addition to those measures reported
in accordance with UK-adopted International Accounting Standards. The
Directors believe that the APMs are important when assessing the underlying
financial and operating performance of the Group. The Group’s APMs are set
out in note 3.
The APMs are used internally in the management of the Group’s business
performance, budgeting and forecasting, and for determining Executive
Directors’ remuneration and that of other management throughout the
business. The APMs are also presented externally to meet investors’
requirements for further clarity, comparability and transparency of the
Group’s financial performance.
There have been no changes to the APMs used and disclosed in the Annual Report for FY24. Discussions were held during the year
between management and the Audit Committee on potential alternatives and whether the current APMs still remain appropriate for
the Group. In particular, the continued exclusion of the share-based-payments charge (“SBPC”) from adjusted EBITDA and other APMs
was discussed. As the Group is still only relatively newly listed and based on where it currently is in its lifecycle, the Committee agreed
it remains appropriate to exclude the SBPC for FY24 but will continue to be revisited this each year.
Following discussions the Committee has satisfied itself that the APMs adopted by the Group remain appropriate and provide the user
of the Annual Report with greater clarity, comparability and transparency of the Group’s underlying trading performance.
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Annual Report 2024
Audit Committee Report
continued
Going concern and viability statement
The Committee reviewed and challenged the
process undertaken and conclusions reached
to support the Company’s going concern and
viability statements which are set out on
pages 41, 146 and 147.
In respect of going concern the review included:
challenging and considering whether
management’s assessment of the principal
and emerging risks facing the Group and their
potential impact was appropriate;
considering the likelihood of the risks occurring
in the time period selected to 31 December
2025, the next covenant reporting period 12
months post the reporting date, and the impact
severity in the event that they did occur;
challenging management as to the
appropriateness of the assumptions used in
stress testing and modelling scenarios; and
considering the term of the existing financing
arrangement and the plans in place to
refinance well in advance of June 2026.
Following its review, and making enquiries with
management, the Committee concurred that
the refinancing does not represent a material
risk to the going concern statement made by
the Company and recommended its approval
to the Board.
In addition, in respect of the viability statement
the Committee:
understood the proposed plans in place for
the refinancing of the Group’s loan facilities
which are due for repayment in June 2026;
challenged management on whether the
three-year time period adopted remained
appropriate and aligned with the long-term
forecasting of the Group, given the Group’s loan
facilities are due for repayment in June 2026;
reviewed the disclosure to ensure it was
sufficiently fulsome and transparent,
especially in light of the current plans
and status for refinancing.
The Committee concurred with the viability
statement and recommended its approval to
the Board.
Fair, balanced and understandable
It is a key governance requirement for the
Board to ensure that the Annual Report and the
financial statements, taken as a whole, are fair,
balanced and understandable, and provide the
information necessary for stakeholders to
assess the Group’s position and performance,
business model and strategy.
The Committee was provided with early drafts
of the Annual Report in order to assess the key
themes and messages being communicated on
the Group’s performance and future strategy.
Feedback was provided by the Committee in
advance of the November 2024 Board meeting,
highlighting any areas where the Committee
believed further clarity was required. The draft
report was then amended to incorporate this
feedback prior to being tabled at the Board
meeting for final comment and approval.
To help the Committee in forming its opinion,
management presented a fair, balanced and
understandable assessment paper to the
November 2024 Audit Committee. This
identified the key themes in the Annual Report,
and explained how the report links the Group’s
strategy, risks and key performance indicators.
It also considers whether the Annual Report
and Accounts are internally consistent, how
APMs have been used to aid comparability
year-on-year and assessed whether each of
the governance requirements were met.
When forming its opinion, the Committee
reflected on the information it had received
and its discussions throughout the year. It
considered the key messages for FY24 and
whether these are appropriately and
consistently disclosed throughout the Annual
Report, with equal prominence of front half
reporting and financial statements; with no bias
or omissions; and with clear language within
a structured framework. In particular, the
Committee considered:
Is the report fair?
Is the whole story presented and has any
sensitive material been omitted that should
have been included?
Are key messages in the narrative aligned
with the KPIs and are they reflected in the
financial reporting?
Are the KPIs being reported consistently from
year to year?
Is the reporting on the business areas in the
narrative reporting consistent with the
financial reporting in the financial statements?
Is the report balanced?
Do you get the same messages when reading
the front end and back end of the Annual
Report independently?
Are threats identified and appropriately
highlighted?
Are the alternative performance measures
explained clearly with appropriate
prominence?
Are the key judgements referred to in the
narrative reporting and significant issues
reported in this Committee report consistent
with disclosures of key estimation
uncertainties and critical judgements set out
in the financial statements?
How do these judgements compare with the
risks that EY are planning to include in their
Auditor’s Report?
Is the report understandable?
Is there a clear and cohesive framework for
the Annual Report?
Are the important messages highlighted
appropriately throughout the Annual Report
with key themes drawn out?
Is the Annual Report written in easily
understandable language and are the key
messages clear?
Conclusion
Following its review, the Committee is of the
opinion that the FY24 Annual Report, taken as
a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable
and provides the information necessary for
shareholders to assess the Group’s position,
performance, business model and strategy.
Internal audit
The purpose of internal audit is to provide the
management team and the Board, through the
Committee, with an independent and objective
assessment of the risk, control and governance
arrangements in place in the Group. The Group
has an in-house Head of Risk and Internal Audit
who has access to external specialists to
support his work, where appropriate. The
Committee believes that this is currently the
right resourcing strategy for the internal audit
function of the Group and is flexible to its
developing requirements.
The Committee is satisfied that the reports
received from the internal audit function during
the year have been of a high quality and that
management have taken, or agreed to take,
actions to respond to the control or procedural
recommendations identified. Internal audit is
only a part of the internal control system of the
Group, and we have been pleased to see a
focus of resources allocated to the
development and operation of a developing
control system across the Group during the
year. This has included further work by the
Group finance and IT controls teams, and the
work of the Information Security Steering
Committee, chaired by the Head of Information
Architecture and Security.
The Committee reviewed and agreed the
proposed internal audit strategy for the period
to ensure that it was proportionate, focused
and provided the necessary assurance over
targeted aspects of the organisation’s strategic
risks, control and governance arrangements.
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Audit Committee Report
continued
The internal audit programme also allows for
audits to be brought forward if felt necessary
or for additional audits to be built in for any
other areas of assurance that are identified
over the course of the financial year.
The Committee has assessed the internal
audit function’s response to the updated
Global Internal Audit Standards, including
a forward-looking plan, and is satisfied that
the function is meeting the requirements.
Internal control and risk management
The Committee supports the Board in
monitoring and reviewing the Group’s systems
of internal control and risk management.
The Committee is mindful that the Company
operates in a fast-moving technology sector,
has grown and continues to grow both
organically and through acquisition, and is
continuing to develop its operating model,
footprint, systems and related controls. In that
regard, the Committee recognises that some
areas of the Company’s internal control
environment may remain the subject of
management actions to enhance and
strengthen them over time. Notably, having
grown through acquisition it is acknowledged
that the work that took place in FY24 to
consolidate and centralise certain finance
processes further enhanced and standardised
the systems of control. Further systems
developments and standardisation activities
are planned in FY25.
The Committee designs its activities to respond
to areas of risk and change, and to support
management in its plans to develop the control
and assurance framework. A primary focus of
internal audit for FY25 will be to review the
Group’s implementation of a risk management
and internal controls framework to support the
declaration of effectiveness of material controls
that the Board will be required to make from
FY27 onwards in accordance with Provision 29
of the UK Corporate Governance Code 2024.
The Committee is supportive of the steps being
taken by management and will continue to
monitor progress in this area.
The Group has specific internal controls and
risk management systems to govern the
financial reporting process. Group financial
policies include the frequency and content of
reporting to the Board, the Group’s accounting
policies, compliance with the guidance in the
Company’s finance manual, and the
consolidation process to prepare the
consolidated financial information which is
reviewed for accuracy by the Group finance
team and externally audited where required.
Specific matters considered by the Committee
during the period in relation to its consideration
of the effectiveness of the Group’s internal
controls included:
internal audit reports produced in line with
the annual internal audit plan, including
management responses, covering the
following areas:
– US financial controls;
– the integration of ESN into ATG;
– business continuity and disaster recovery;
– IT general controls over finance systems;
and
– UK payroll processes.
review and recommendation for Board
approval of the Group Financial Processes
and Controls and Accounting Manuals;
review of the Group’s treasury policies and
controls;
review of tax risks and compliance;
review of the internal audit charter;
consideration of developments in the
Company’s IT general controls and receiving
reports from the Head of Information
Architecture and Security and the Chief
Technology Officer;
assessment of the Head of Information
Architecture and Security’s response to an
external expert report on the Group’s cyber
security practices.
the Group’s policies relating to the listing
of specific regulated items on US auction
marketplaces; and
controls around the operation of the
whistleblowing policy.
The internal audit programme for FY24
included internal financial controls as a focus
and the plan will continue to do so in FY25.
Progress towards completion of actions
identified to improve internal control is
regularly monitored by management and the
Committee, contributing to the assurance on
controls effectiveness provided to the Board.
Based on the assessments undertaken during
the year and recognising the maturing nature
of the business control environment and
continued formalisation of processes, the
Board and Audit Committee are satisfied that
the Group operates an adequate system of
internal control.
Risk management review
The Board has delegated to the Committee the
responsibility for monitoring the effectiveness
of the systems of risk management. During the
period under review the Committee reviewed
the Group’s risk register and the whistleblowing
policy and considered the Group’s overall risk
appetite, tolerance and strategy. It also
recommended and participated in a Board
presentation on the controls and risk appetite
relating to the sale of certain auction items,
such as regulated items or items controlled in
line with internal policies, through the Group’s
marketplaces. The local market conditions and
regulatory regimes along with the Group’s
response and risk management were
considered for each of the Group’s key markets.
The Committee, in supporting the Board to
assess the effectiveness of risk management
and internal control processes, relies on
reporting by management, compliance reports
and the assurance provided by the external
auditor. The principal risks and uncertainties
facing the Group are addressed in the Strategic
Report and in the table on pages 37 to 40.
Assessing the effectiveness of
the external audit process and
the external auditor
Effectiveness
The Committee reviewed and approved the
external audit plan to ensure it was consistent
with the expectations of the audit engagement
that had been set at the tender stage of
engagement with EY. In reviewing the audit
plan, the Committee discussed the areas
identified by the external auditor as most likely
to give rise to a material financial reporting
error or those that are perceived to be of higher
risk and requiring additional audit emphasis.
The Committee also considered the audit
scope, materiality threshold and the audit
approach by territory as well as current areas
of regulatory focus. It also reviewed EY’s
approach to ensuring audit quality, robustness
of review on key judgements and the
appropriateness of its fee and use of experts
given the nature of the business.
Independence
The Committee is responsible for reviewing the
independence of the Group’s external auditor
and satisfying itself as to its continued
independence. The auditor has provided
confirmation that they remain independent
of the Group and its management. The
Committee considered this matter and after
reflecting on the scope of the work carried
out by EY, its tenure as external auditor, its
demonstration of professional scepticism and
its relationship with the Group and its team,
concurred with that conclusion.
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Audit Committee Report
continued
Provision of non-audit services
To preserve objectivity and independence, the
external auditor is asked not to provide other
services except those that are specifically
approved and permitted under the Group’s
non-audit services policy.
Non-audit services are generally not provided
by the external auditor unless specific
circumstances mean that it is in the best
interests of the Group that these are provided
by EY rather than another supplier. To ensure
the continuing independence of the auditor,
during the year the Committee reviewed and
approved a policy on non-audit services. The
key principles of this policy are:
The Audit Committee has adopted the FRC’s
list of permitted services for UK incorporated
EU Public Interest entities (“EU PIEs”) as set
out in the Revised Ethical Standard 2019
(“Ethical Standard”). These services are
allowed under UK statutory legislation and
comply with the European Union directive on
audit and non-audit services.
Permitted services include those that are
required by law and regulation, loan covenant
reporting, other assurance services closely
linked to the audit or Annual Report and
reporting accountant services.
For any non-audit permitted services the
following levels of authority apply:
a)
up to £50,000 requires the approval of
the CFO
b)
in excess of £50,000 and up to £150,000
requires the approval of the CFO following
consultation with the Chair of the Audit
Committee
c)
in excess of £150,000 requires the approval
of the Committee.
Audit and non-audit fees
The Committee reviewed, and agreed, the audit
and non-audit fees for the Group for the year
ended 30 September 2024 following discussion
with management and the external auditor, and
after receipt of a detailed schedule setting out
the nature of the work being undertaken, the
location of that work and the rates associated
with the work. Note 6 of the Consolidated
Financial Statements sets out the breakdown
of audit and non-audit fees payable to EY in
FY24 and Deloitte in FY23.
The non-audit fees of $0.01m in FY24 and FY23
relate to covenant reporting. The assurance
services of $0.1m for FY23 and $0.2m for FY24
include work performed for the Group’s interim
review opinions.
External audit partner
External auditors are required to rotate the
audit partner responsible for the Group audit
every five years. The EY audit partner
responsible for the FY24 audit is Katie
Dallimore-Fox and she has held this role since
EY was appointed as auditor to the Company
at the AGM held on 30 January 2024.
Review of Commiee performance
In early 2024 the Board engaged Independent
Board Evaluation (“IBE”) to conduct an externally
facilitated review of the performance of the
Board and its Committees. The Committee
considered the feedback and adopted the
recommendations arising from the review
during FY24. The feedback on the Committee
was very favourable, with the report
concluding that my experience and approach
provides participants with confidence that the
Committee is fulfilling its remit. The areas
identified for potential future development
included a review of the membership and
composition of the Sustainability and ESG
Committee, discussed in more detail on page
84, ensuring that a stated plan is put in place
for of the identification of material internal
controls to give the Committee assurance
under the UK Corporate Governance Code 2024
in good time, and ensuring that any new
Non-Executive Director appointments to the
Board are financially qualified with experience
of governance and risk management. The
Committee has reviewed the suggestions and
outcomes of the effectiveness review and has
developed implementation plans as appropriate.
CMA Order 2014 statement of
compliance
The Company confirms that it has complied
with the provisions of the Statutory Audit
Services for Large Companies Market
Investigation (Mandatory Use of Competitive
Tender Processes and Audit Committee
Responsibilities) Order 2014 during FY24 in
respect to audit tendering and the provision
of non-audit services.
As detailed earlier, the Committee considered
the effectiveness and independence of EY and
remained satisfied with their performance and
considers their reappointment at the 2025 AGM
to be in the best interests of the Company.
Key activities proposed for the financial
year ending 30 September 2025
The Committee has an annual plan to guide
its activities during the year. The key activities
to be undertaken in the financial year ending
30 September 2025 include:
Oversee and scrutinise the preparation
of the Annual Report for the year ended
30 September 2024 and the interim results
for the first half of FY25.
Consider and review key areas of financial
judgement and estimates used by
management in the preparation of the
financial statements.
Continue to prepare for and consider the
impact on the Group’s reporting and control
environment and corporate governance
framework of the introduced by the UK
Corporate Governance Code 2024 in relation
to internal controls, changes to the Global
Internal Audit Standards, and any impacts
on corporate reporting and disclosures
introduced by the change in the UK listing
regime introduced in July 2024.
The development of an audit and assurance
framework.
Monitor key risk areas, particularly those
scheduled for review by internal audit
including, but not limited to, key financial,
operational and IT controls and determining
which should be classified as material
controls for the purposes of provision 29
of the UK Corporate Governance Code.
Monitor the consolidation and standardisation
of financial systems and processes across
the Group.
Oversee the bedding in of new organisational
structures within the finance function,
especially in the US.
Continue to manage and oversee the
relationship with, and performance of, the
external auditor.
Participate in an internal evaluation of the
Committee’s performance and a review of
the terms of reference.
Monitor progress of the internal audit plan
and the continuing development of the
Group’s systems of risk management and
internal control.
Continue to support the Board in the
oversight of ESG and sustainability-related
reporting, with a particular focus on
monitoring the latest developments in the
reporting on sustainability which continue
to evolve and become more complex.
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
101
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
risk discussions around succession planning
and incorporate workforce engagement
feedback with respect to succession planning
and culture.
The Committee recommended and the Board
approved my appointment as Chair on 9 August
2024, following Breon Corcoran’s resignation as
Board Chair on the same date. The Committee
recommended and the Board approved my
appointment as Chair of the Nomination
Committee on 14 August 2024. My appointment
was made to ensure a seamless transition
based on my familiarity with the Company
and extensive experience as a Board Chair with
online marketplaces in the United Kingdom and
North America.
The members of the Committee all provide
a breadth of experience and expertise,
thereby enabling the Committee to meet its
responsibilities and the requirements of the
Code. Further information about the experience
of each member of the Committee can be
found on pages 90 to 92. Meetings are attended
by the Chief Executive Officer and other relevant
attendees by invitation.
The Committee conducted an externally
facilitated effectiveness review and discussed
observations and recommendations at the
Board meeting on 21 March 2024 as set out in
more detail on page 83. The Board, via this
I am delighted to present the Nomination
Commiee Report for the year ended
30 September 2024.
The Nomination Committee made progress
across the full range of its responsibilities
during the year. This report outlines how the
Committee discharged the duties delegated
to it by the Board and explains the key matters
considered by it in doing so.
Role of the Commiee
The Committee’s role is to review the size,
structure and composition of the Board,
Committees and senior leadership to ensure the
Company is structured to achieve its strategic
objectives and that plans are in place for orderly,
diverse and inclusive succession to the Board,
Committees and senior management positions;
and to lead the process for appointments
by identifying and recommending potential
candidates to join the Board.
The Committee reports to the Board on the
business concluded at each meeting, how it has
discharged its responsibilities and informs the
Board of any recommendations made by the
Committee. The Committee has a clear set of
responsibilities that are set out in its terms of
reference, which are available on the Group’s
website, www.auctiontechnologygroup.com.
The Company Secretary acts as Secretary
to the Committee.
Nomination Commiee composition
and meetings
Until March 2024, the Committee was
comprised of the Chair and two independent
Non-Executive Directors. Pursuant to the
Board’s annual effectiveness review on
21 March 2024, Suzanne Baxter and Tamsin
Todd were appointed as additional independent
members of the Committee in order to join up
Committee, reviewed the structure, size
and composition (including skills, knowledge,
experience and diversity) of the Board and
its Committees. The Board further concluded
that the Board should seek to add a
Non-Executive Director with relevant product
and/or technology experience in due course.
Further details of the Board effectiveness
review conducted during the year are set
out on page 83.
Following the Chair succession on 9 August
2024, the Nomination Committee commenced
a process to appoint a Non-Executive Director,
with appropriate finance and online
marketplace experience to replace me on the
Audit Committee in order to comply with the
UK Corporate Governance Code. Andrew Miller
was appointed a Non-Executive Director and
joined the Remuneration Committee, Audit
Committee and Nomination Committee on
21 November 2024. In considering any new
appointments to the Board, the Committee
has an established policy and process for
identifying the attributes, skills and
experience required of potential candidates.
The Committee takes account of a number
of factors before recommending any new
appointments to the Board, including relevant
skills, experience, knowledge and diversity. A
role specification is agreed by the Committee
and external recruitment consultants are
engaged to undertake the search and provide
a list of potential candidates, meeting the role
specification profile. Members of the
Committee then meet with short-listed
candidates, before recommending preferred
candidates to the Board.
“The Nomination
Committee made good
progress during the year
across the full range of
its responsibilities.”
Sco Forbes
Nomination Committee Chair
Members
4
Number of scheduled
meetings aended1
Breon Corcoran
3
100%
Scott Forbes (Chair)
100%
Pauline Reader
100%
Suzanne Baxter
2
100%
Tamsin Todd
2
100%
1.
In addition to these scheduled meetings, the Committee
held five ad hoc meetings during the year. In total, all
Committee members attended all meetings they were
eligible to during the year.
2.
Suzanne Baxter and Tamsin Todd were appointed as
members of the Committee on 21 March 2024.
3.
Breon Corcoran resigned as Chair and Non-Executive
Director and relinquished all Committee memberships
on 9 August 2024. Scott Forbes was appointed as Chair
of the Board on 9 August 2024 and as Chair of the
Nomination Committee on 14 August 2024.
4.
Andrew Miller was appointed Non-Executive Director
and joined the Remuneration, Committee Nomination
Committee and Audit Committee on 21 November 2024.
Nomination Committee Report
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
102
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Nomination Committee Report
continued
Achieved revised minimum year-end targets
under the FTSE Women Leaders Review that
the Board is comprised of at least 40%
women and at least one of the Chair, CEO,
CFO or SID is a woman.
Reviewed the Chief Executive Officer’s
recommendations for the percentage target
for the share of senior management working
in the UK from an ethnic minority background
by 2027, as required by the Parker Review.
Reviewed and recommended the Board’s
diversity policy for Board approval.
Reviewed and discussed diversity and
inclusion scorecards.
Reviewed the diversity data required for the
FY24 Annual Report on gender identity or sex
and the ethnic diversity of the Board and
senior management.
Kept under review the balancing of the
former Board Chair’s role with his role as
Chief Executive Officer of IG Group plc.
Appointed Scott Forbes as Chair following
Breon Corcoran’s resignation to ensure a
seamless transition based on Scott’s
extensive experience as a Board Chair for
online marketplace businesses in the United
Kingdom and North America and
recommended to the Board the extension
of his appointment for a further three years.
Appointed Suzanne Baxter as Senior
Independent Director based on her extensive
UK listed board, finance and capital markets
experience. With Suzanne’s appointment, the
Company complies with UK Listing Rule
provision that at least one of the positions of
Chair, CEO, CFO or SID is filled by a woman.
The Commiee’s key activities during
the period ended 30 September 2024
Monitored progress on organisation and
succession planning for the Board and senior
management and the development of a
diverse talent pipeline.
Considered succession planning for the
composition of the Audit Committee and the
role specification to replace Scott Forbes who
was required to vacate the Audit Committee
upon becoming Board Chair in accordance
with the UK Corporate Governance Code.
Considered succession planning for the
composition of the Remuneration Committee
and the role specification for an additional
member to join the Committee, following the
appointment of Scott Forbes as Board Chair.
Managed the recruitment process and
appointment of a Non-Executive Director with
financial, governance, risk management and
sector experience leading to the appointment
of Andrew Miller on 21 November 2024.
Appointment of an external search firm
to facilitate the search of an additional
Non-Executive Director with relevant
technology experience.
Recommended the election and re-election of
the Directors at the 2024 AGM following a review
of their independence and time commitments.
Recommended to the Board the appointment
of Independent Board Evaluation to conduct
the Company’s first externally facilitated
Board effectiveness review.
Completed a review of the effectiveness of
the Committee as part of the external Board
effectiveness review and considered the
recommendations for this Committee.
Following the completion of the Board
effectiveness review conducted in FY24,
conducted a further evaluation of the
composition of the Board and its Committees
to ensure alignment of relevant skills,
experience and diversity to Company strategy.
Key activities proposed for the financial
year ending 30 September 2025
Continue to embed succession planning for
the Board and senior management.
Manage the Non-Executive Director
recruitment process to ensure the Board has
the requisite skills and maintains targets
under the FTSE Women Leaders Review that
the Board comprises at least 40% women.
Upon recommendation of the CEO, agree the
percentage target for the share of senior
management working in the UK from an
ethnic minority background by 2027, as
required by the Parker Review.
Review and recommend, if appropriate,
the re-appointment of the Non-Executive
Directors approaching the end of their initial
three-year terms of appointment.
Complete the successful appointment and
induction of an additional Non-Executive
Director(s).
Key areas of focus during the period
The Committee held two scheduled meetings
during the year and five ad hoc meetings.
The Committee’s main focus in both
scheduled meetings was on organisation
and succession planning, Board composition,
and diversity and inclusion, further details for
which can be found below. Additional ad hoc
meetings were convened to consider the
resignation of Breon Corcoran as Chair and
changes in Board and Committee composition.
Succession planning
During the year, the Committee conducted
detailed reviews of the succession plans in
place at Board, Executive Director and senior
management level. The Committee’s
discussions focused on but were not limited to,
the key Board roles of Chair, CEO and CFO and
considered emergency succession in the event
of unforeseen circumstances.
The Committee reviewed the short and
medium-term plans for succession within the
Chief Executive Officer’s Senior Management
Team, noting the number of individuals in the
Group capable of being developed over the next
few years, as well as short-term emergency
cover for contingency planning purposes.
Following Breon Corcoran stepping down from
the Board, the Committee reflected on how the
existing skillset of the Non-Executive Directors
enabled the Board to continue to execute the
Group’s strategy and meet future challenges.
A robust assessment of the succession plan
took place, which included plans for ensuring
an orderly succession. Having considered the
recommended succession plan and in
consultation with advisers, the Nomination
Committee recommended my appointment as
Board Chair, which was approved by the Board.
Appointment of new Non-Executive
Directors
A key responsibility of the Committee is to
ensure orderly Board succession, and this
has remained the Committee’s main focus
during FY24. During the year, the Committee
commenced the search process for an
additional independent Non-Executive
Director. We partnered with independent
search consultancies Korn Ferry and Russell
Reynolds to facilitate these processes,
utilising their expertise in placing directors
with finance, online marketplaces, product
and/or technology experience. Korn Ferry and
Russell Reynolds have no connection with the
Company or individual Directors. Korn Ferry
was engaged as consultants to the
Remuneration Committee during FY24. The
Nomination Committee was satisfied that the
remuneration and recruitment businesses
within Korn Ferry were separate and distinct.
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
103
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Nomination Committee Report
continued
A detailed role profile setting out the desirable
attributes, skills and experience of prospective
Non-Executive Director was developed with
support from Korn Ferry and appropriately
agreed by the Committee.
Having considered the shortlist, Committee
members interviewed the preferred candidates
and recommended the appointment of Andrew
Miller to the Board for approval. Andrew brings
extensive experience covering business
strategy, executive and financial leadership and
digital transformation. The Committee further
recommended that, on appointment to the
Board, Andrew Miller be appointed as a
member of the Remuneration Committee,
Audit Committee and Nomination Committees.
The appointment involved a formal, rigorous
and transparent selection process based on
merit and objective criteria, with due
Diversity and inclusion
The Board is committed to maintaining a Board
with a diverse set of skills, experiences and
backgrounds. The Committee reviews the
Board diversity policy on an annual basis.
The UK Listing Rules require listed companies
to disclose annually their position against the
target of 40% women on listed company
boards and the provision that at least one
of the positions of Chair, CEO, CFO or SID is
filled by a woman and the Board is pleased
to disclose that the Company achieved both
targets as of the end of the financial year. Our
female representation on the Board increased
from 37.5% at 30 September 2023 to 42.9% at
30 September 2024 and our aim is to achieve
this again by end of 2025. Since the
appointment of Suzanne Baxter as Senior
Independent Director, at least one senior
Board position is now held by a woman.
The Board diversity policy has been expanded
to cover wider diversity characteristics beyond
gender and ethnicity, including disability, sexual
orientation, socio-economic background and
cognitive diversity. The Board’s policy is to
encourage diversity within long and shortlists
as part of the overall selection process for
Non-Executive Director roles when
appointments are made.
The Board is supportive of the ambition shown
in reviews on ethnic diversity, including the
Parker Review recommendation for all FTSE
250 boards to have at least one director of
colour by 2024. The Board, having consulted
with the Nomination Committee, believes that
it has achieved this target, with John-Paul
Savant representing a Eurasian ethnically
diverse background.
The Board has considered the extension of
the scope of the Parker Review to encompass
senior management teams operating in the UK
as well as board directors in disclosures on
ethnic diversity, which we fully support.
We also support the request to set and publish
our own target percentage for minority ethnic
representation in senior management positions.
Our aim is to determine the proportion of our
UK-based Senior Management Team to be
occupied by ethnic minority executives by
December 2027 in conjunction with the
development of our global Diversity, Equity
and Inclusion policy. We will report on
progress towards this target in each Annual
Report. As at 30 September 2024 42.8% (FY23:
37.5%) of the global Senior Management Team
is represented by executives with an ethnically
diverse background.
FCA UK Listing Rules – diversity
reporting
The Committee is cognisant of the
requirements on diversity and inclusion
disclosures set out in the UK Listing Rules
which apply to the Company for this reporting
period, to include data in a prescribed format
about the gender identity or sex, and the ethnic
diversity of members of the Board and
executive management. Our disclosures are
set out as at our chosen reference date of
30 September 2024.
Approach to data collection
The Company has used a consistent approach
to collecting the gender and ethnicity data
displayed in the tables below, the source of
which is the Group’s HR database. For ethnicity,
employees are asked to self-identify at the
start of employment based on the Office for
National Statistics (UK and Germany) and
EE01 (North America) ethnicity categories.
Employees can update this information at
any time during their employment and are
periodically reminded to provide their gender
and ethnicity information, if they have not done
so already.
consideration being given to a broad range
of factors. The Committee met several times
during the selection process and the Board
approved Andrew Miller’s appointment on
21 November 2024.
Board induction and training
New Directors joining the Board undertake
a tailored induction programme including
meetings with key members of the Senior
Management Team. Non-Executive Directors
have full access to our Executive Directors
and Senior Management Team outside
scheduled Board meetings and can attend
Company and employee events and briefings.
Individual Board members have access to
training and can seek advice from independent
professional advisers, at the Group’s expense,
where specific expertise or training is
required to enable them to perform their
duties effectively.
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
104
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Nomination Committee Report
continued
The tables below set out data about the gender and ethnicity of the Board and senior management as at 30 September 2024, in the format
prescribed by the UK Listing Rules
(a) Gender identity or sex
Number of board
members
Percentage of the
board
Number of senior
positions on the board
(CEO, CFO, SID and Chair)
Number in executive
management
Percentage of
executive
management
Men
4
57.1
3
6
86
Women
3
42.9
1
1
14
Not specified/prefer not to say
(b) Ethnic background
Number of board
members
Percentage of the
board
Number of senior
positions on the board
(CEO, CFO, SID and Chair)
Number in executive
management
Percentage of
executive
management
White British or other White (including
minority-white groups)
6
85.7
3
4
57
Mixed/Multiple Ethnic Groups
1
14.3
1
1
14
Asian/Asian British
2
29
Black/African/Caribbean/Black British
Other ethnic group, including Arab
Not specified/prefer not to say
Andrew Miller was appointed to the Board
on 21 November 2024. No further changes
have occurred to the composition of the
Board or Senior Management Team between
30 September 2024 and the date this
document was approved on 26 November 2024.
The Corporate Governance Report on pages 81
to 89 provides further information on the
Board’s current composition and its plans
to continuously improve skills and diversity.
As at 30 September 2024 the Board met the
recommendations of the FTSE Women Leaders
Review relating to female membership of the
Board. The Board consisted of four males
(57.1%) and three females (42.9%), and in terms
of wider leadership, the Senior Management
Team, as defined by the Corporate Governance
Code but excluding the Company Secretary,
consisted of six males and one female.
The Group strives to achieve a gender balance
across all levels of the organisation (with
proportional representation to the regions in
which we work) through recruitment and
succession planning.
There is further information on the Group’s
diversity and inclusion policies and activities
during FY24 in the Sustainability Report on
page 50.
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
105
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Nomination Committee Report
continued
External directorships
The Committee keeps under review the number
of external directorships held by each Director.
Any external appointments or other significant
commitments of the Directors require the prior
approval of the Chair, or, in the case of the Chair,
the Senior Independent Director. The Chair takes
into account investors’ published voting policies
on the number of board mandates considered
appropriate for directors when considering
directors’ proposed appointment to additional
boards. The Board and Nomination Committee
have kept under review the balancing of the
Board Chair’s roles as Chair of Ascential plc and
Cars.com since his appointment as Board Chair
on 9 August 2024. The Chair resigned from the
Board of Ascential plc upon the completion of
its sale to Informa plc on 9 October 2024.
Re-election of Directors
In accordance with the provisions of the Code,
all Directors will retire at the forthcoming
AGM of the Company and the Board has
recommended their election or re-election.
In reaching its decision, the Board acted on
the advice of the Nomination Committee.
Having assessed numerous criteria such as
independence, time commitments and other
directorships, meeting attendance, skills,
knowledge and experience and board diversity,
the Committee and the Board are satisfied that
all Directors continue to be effective in and
demonstrate commitment to their respective
roles and the Committee is satisfied that
they devote sufficient time to their duties,
demonstrate enthusiasm and commitment to
their roles, and make a valuable contribution
to the leadership of the Company.
As noted above, Suzanne Baxter and Tamsin
Todd were appointed as members of the
Committee in March 2024. The Committee
also agreed to continue to encourage internal
and external training for all Directors, to use
informal dinners to inform discussion and
debate on important Board topics, and to
consider staggering any changes in Board
composition on a rolling basis to maintain
corporate knowledge and stability over the
coming years. The Committee has reviewed the
suggestions and outcomes of the effectiveness
review and has developed implementation plans
where appropriate.
Sco Forbes
Nomination Committee Chair
26 November 2024
Non-Executive Director appointments to the
Board are for an initial term of up to three years.
Non-Executive Directors are typically expected
to serve two three-year terms, although the
Board may invite the Director to serve for an
additional period on the recommendation
of the Committee. Non-Executive Directors
are appointed under formal appointment
letters which are available for inspection at
the registered office of the Company during
normal business hours and at the AGM.
Board performance review
As described in more detail on page 83, the
Board undertook its first externally facilitated
effectiveness review in February 2024, the
approach for which was overseen by the
Committee and the results for which are
set out on page 84.
Review of Commiee performance
In early 2024 the Board engaged Independent
Board Evaluation (“IBE”) to conduct an externally
facilitated review of the performance of the
Board and its Committees. The Committee
considered the feedback and recommendations
arising from the review during FY24 and
agreed a number of actions. The feedback
on the Committee was largely positive, with
the report concluding that the Committee
provides constructive challenge and support
to the business on issues such as succession
planning. Several areas emerged for potential
development, including the recommendation
that all independent Non-Executive Directors
be appointed as members of this Committee.
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
106
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Dear Shareholder
I am pleased to present the Directors’
Remuneration Report for the financial year
ended 30 September 2024. This report is
divided into three sections: my statement,
the Directors’ remuneration policy being
put to shareholders at the 2025 AGM, and
our Annual Report on Remuneration, which
explains the decisions we have taken in
implementing the Directors’ remuneration
policy, both for FY24 and looking ahead to
FY25. The report has been prepared in line
with the relevant UK reporting requirements.
I took over as Chair of the Remuneration
Committee with effect from 19 September 2024,
having served as a member of the Committee
since my appointment to the Board in February
2022. The previous Committee Chair, Scott
Forbes, remains a member of the Committee.
The business context
The business reported revenue growth driven by
progress against its primary strategic initiatives
in FY24, despite challenges in the underlying
customer markets and macroeconomic
pressures for much of the year. The successful
introduction and expansion of value added
services such as the new cross-listing offering,
atgXL, demonstrates the significant
opportunities ahead.
Executive remuneration during the year
under review
As discussed in last year’s report, the
Remuneration Committee agreed some
significant changes to Executive Directors’
remuneration for FY24, all within the terms of
the remuneration policy approved at the AGM
in 2022. These changes included adjustments
to the basic salaries of the Directors and a new
approach to LTIP awards, broadening the
performance criteria used for the awards
and granting at a level of 200% of basic
salary to focus on long-term outperformance.
Given the strong level of support received
from major shareholders during the
consultation phase, we implemented the
changes during the year under review. At the
AGM in January 2024, the Committee was
pleased to note that there was a 98% vote in
favour of the Directors’ Remuneration Report.
Following the end of FY24, the Committee
reviewed the Company’s performance against
the targets set for the incentive schemes.
The annual bonus scheme for the year was
based on the achievement of targets linked to
adjusted EBITDA and revenue, each measure
again having a 50% weighting. Unfortunately the
threshold targets for these measures were not
met and, as a result, no bonuses were earned
by the Executive Directors for the year. No
discretion was applied to adjust this outcome.
The LTIP awards granted in December 2021
had a performance period which ended on
30 September 2024. The awards were subject
to adjusted diluted EPS targets. Based on the
level of adjusted diluted EPS of 38.6c reported
for FY24, the awards will vest in December
2024 at a level of 38.1% of maximum. The
Committee believes this is a fair reflection of
ATG’s overall financial performance over the
period. A minimum two-year post-vesting
holding period applies to the vested award.
As noted in the 2023 Annual Report, certain
legacy payments were made to continuing
employees during FY24, including the
Executive Directors. These payments were
made as a result of the liquidation of a
sub-fund of the Company’s Employee Benefit
Trust that was established prior to the IPO.
As a result, John-Paul Savant received a cash
payment totalling £1,339,321 and Tom
Hargreaves received £1,145,418. No further
payments are due under this legacy matter.
Further details are set out on page 120.
Tamsin Todd
Remuneration Committee Chair
Members
3
Number of scheduled
meetings aended
1
Tamsin Todd
(Chair from
19 September 2024)
100%
Scott Forbes
(Chair until
19 September 2024)
100%
Breon Corcoran
2
100%
Suzanne Baxter
100%
1.
In addition to these scheduled meetings, the Committee
held one ad hoc meeting during the year. All Committee
members attended this meeting. In total, all Committee
members attended all meetings they were eligible to
attend during the year.
2.
Breon Corcoran stepped down from the Board on
9 August 2024.
3.
Andrew Miller was appointed to the Committee on
21 November 2024.
Remuneration Committee Report
Key Commiee activities during the year
Formal review of the Directors’ remuneration
policy.
Assessment of market trends, developments
and the implications for the policy.
Review of wider workforce remuneration and
related policies, including an assessment of
relevant trends in the United States.
Review of the performance metrics used for
incentive schemes.
Reviewed formulaic incentive outcomes and
considered whether they were aligned to
Company performance over the short and
long term.
Reviewed and approved salaries for the
Executive Directors and senior management.
Annual review of the Committee’s terms of
reference.
Receiving reports and advice from advisers
on a range of matters.
Annual review of the Committee’s external
advisers.
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Remuneration Committee Report
continued
The Committee is comfortable that actions
taken on pay during the year across the
Company were appropriate and in the interests
of all stakeholders, and that the remuneration
policy operated as intended.
New Directors’ remuneration policy
Our remuneration policy is due to be formally
renewed at the AGM in January 2025. The
policy is aligned with standard market practice
for FTSE 250 companies, and is considered by
the Committee to have worked well since it
was put in place at the time of the IPO. Given
the significant changes made last year to policy
implementation, the Committee confirmed
during FY24 that the broad remuneration policy
structure should remain unchanged and to all
intents and purposes we will therefore be
rolling over our current arrangements.
Minor amendments proposed to the policy
include additional flexibility to allow
Non-Executive Directors to invest a portion of
their cash fee in ATG shares and the inclusion
of extra detail on the malus and clawback
provisions in place, as recommended by the
new UK Corporate Governance Code published
by the Financial Reporting Council in January
2024 (which will formally apply to the Company
from FY26). Also, in line with the new Code,
I can confirm that malus and clawback
provisions were not invoked during FY24.
The policy will be formally presented for
approval at the AGM.
Of the total bonus, 75% will be payable in
cash and the remaining 25% will be deferred
into an award over shares under the DSBP to
be held for three years.
LTIP
In line with the approach in FY24, the
Committee intends to make an LTIP award
at a level of 200% of salary to the CEO. A
provision will be included in the award which
enables the Committee to reduce the level of
vesting if it considers there to have been a
windfall gain over the vesting period.
After detailed consideration, we have decided
to make some changes to the performance
conditions to apply to this award. In light of
various factors, including some long-term
uncertainty in the wider business
environment and the investor desire for
enhanced returns, we are focusing the FY25
LTIP on total shareholder return. TSR is
considered an appropriate measure as it
represents the market’s assessment of the
future prospects of the Company, with
enhanced TSR a likely indicator of
management success. Using TSR is also
generally recognised by investors as a good
way of aligning management interests with
those of shareholders.
We will assess TSR on both a relative and an
absolute basis. 45% of the total award will be
based on ATG’s outperformance of the FTSE
All Share index (excluding investment trusts),
with full vesting for upper quartile
performance. This index has been chosen
because ATG is towards the middle of the
companies in the index in terms of size.
A further 45% will depend on material
improvements in TSR on an absolute basis.
Full vesting will require TSR of at least 45%
over the level at the start of FY25, which would
represent a very strong level of achievement in
the current market environment.
For the final 10% we have retained the carbon
emission reduction measure introduced for
the first time last year.
The specific targets which have been set for
all of the above measures are set out on
page 125.
As normal, a two-year post-vesting holding
period will apply to the award and it will be
subject to the standard malus and clawback
provisions.
Change of CFO
As announced on 10 October 2024, Tom
Hargreaves will be leaving ATG in early 2025
to take a up a position at another company.
His termination arrangements will be
consistent with the Directors’ remuneration
policy and the rules of the various incentive
plans. In short, there is no intention that he
will receive a payment for loss of office. His
salary is remaining unchanged for FY25, and
he will not participate in either the annual
bonus scheme or the LTIP for FY25. It is
intended that his FY23 and FY24 LTIP awards
will lapse when he leaves the Company
although he will retain an entitlement to the
FY22 LTIP award (which will vest at a level of
38.1% in December 2024) as, consistent with
the LTIP Rules, he will be in employment at
the time of vesting. No discretion has been
exercised in respect of these matters. Full
details of the payments made to the CFO for
FY25 will be provided in next year’s report.
The Company is currently in the process of
recruiting a successor to Tom as CFO. The
remuneration for the new CFO will be in line
with the remuneration policy.
Our approach to executive reward
for FY25
We have considered carefully the implementation
of the new remuneration policy for FY25. The key
decisions are as follows:
Basic salaries
In line with the approach to phased increases
for John-Paul Savant, his base salary for FY25
will be £517,500, an increase of 6.7%. This
takes him closer to the targeted FY26 level
of £550,000 agreed last year. The salary
increase is higher than the average increase
for the wider workforce of 3.56%, but is
consistent with the approach signposted
last year. Further, the Committee remains
of the view that moving John-Paul to a more
appropriate salary level is in shareholders’
interests given the considerable evolution of
the business under his leadership, and taking
into account levels of CEO pay at other
companies of a similar size.
Annual bonus
The maximum annual bonus opportunity
will be 125% of salary, in line with the
remuneration policy limit. The performance
measures for the FY25 bonus will remain
appropriately challenging. The majority of
the bonus will again be payable subject to
the achievement of targets linked to revenue
(35% weighting) and adjusted EBITDA (35%
weighting), these being key financial
performance indicators.
For the remaining 30% we are introducing a
number of non-financial measures which are
linked to the achievement of key objectives
based on certain critical strategic themes.
This will help ensure a rounded assessment
of overall performance over the course of the
year. The objectives are based on platform
stability, improved auctioneer engagement,
improved bidder engagement and
infrastructure improvements.
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Remuneration across the Company
Across the business, ATG continues to focus
on providing remuneration that fairly rewards,
attracts, retains and motivates high-calibre
talent that is necessary to ensure the ongoing
success and growth of the Company. ATG
therefore aims to offer remuneration that is
competitive and reflects the dynamics of the
markets in which we operate.
During the year the Committee considered
in detail the approach to remuneration
across the whole business. Among other
things, this involved discussion of the incentive
arrangements in place for different job levels
and market trends in key regions, particularly
in North America. ATG operates in a competitive
environment for talent and the Committee
is fully supportive of the Company’s desire
to ensure that compensation packages can
be offered which are sufficiently compelling
to attract and retain high performers. As part
of this, the organisation continues to place
a significant emphasis on equity awards
throughout the Company, with the Senior
Management Team receiving grants of
restricted shares as part of their packages.
All-employee share schemes are also viewed as
a key benefit for colleagues in the UK and North
America, helping to ensure an alignment of
interests between shareholders and employees.
In addition to my role as Remuneration
Committee Chair, I am also the designated
Non-Executive Director for workforce
engagement. In this role, I participate in at least
two employee engagement sessions each year,
where a range of matters are discussed,
including remuneration and benefits topics.
This year there was feedback that further
career development would be welcomed, and
this informed the enrichment and relaunch of
ATG’s Academy.
The UK Corporate Governance Code
The Board is strongly supportive of the UK
Corporate Governance Code and considers
that there was full compliance with the Code
during the year under review, with the minor
exception of Scott Forbes continuing as Chair
of the Remuneration Committee for a short
period following his appointment as Board
Chair in August 2024. For further information
see the Code Compliance section of the
Corporate Governance Report on page 81.
At present, ATG formally reports against the
2018 version of the Code. The remuneration
policy and its implementation are consistent
with the factors set out in Provision 40 of the
2018 Code, as illustrated below.
Clarity:
The remuneration policy has been
designed to provide clarity to all interested
parties. The Remuneration Committee has
again endeavoured to explain the policy
and its implementation in a clear and
transparent fashion in this Directors’
Remuneration Report. The Committee has a
policy of engaging in two-way dialogue with
major shareholders and with representatives
of the workforce on remuneration matters.
Simplicity:
The remuneration policy is
relatively simple and consistent with
standard practice for UK-listed companies of
a similar size to ATG. The rationale for each
element of Directors’ pay and explanations
of the Committee’s decisions in respect of
operating the policy are set out in this report.
Risk:
The policy operates within clearly
defined limits and the potential for rewards
that would be considered excessive in the
UK listed context is low. Nevertheless, the
Committee is alive to the risks inherent in
operating incentive schemes and has
therefore ensured that the targets which
have been set for the annual bonus scheme
and the LTIP do not encourage inappropriate
levels of risk-taking. The remuneration
policy includes a number of features which
give the Committee additional control, such
as the ability to override incentive outcomes
if considered appropriate and the operation
of recovery and withholding provisions
for incentives.
Predictability:
While it is not possible to
precisely predict the level of overall reward
for the Executive Directors in any one year,
the policy operates with reasonable limits
which mean that outsize payments are
highly unlikely. We provide an illustration
of potential outcomes under different
scenarios (see page 115).
Proportionality:
The performance
conditions chosen for the annual bonus
scheme and the LTIP in each year are
closely linked to the successful delivery
of strategy over the short and long term.
The Committee carefully considers the
optimum metrics and targets ahead of
making decisions on the operation of the
policy each year. A combination of the
target-setting process and the Committee’s
overriding discretion to adjust outcomes
ensures that poor performance will not
be rewarded.
Alignment to culture:
The success of
the business continues to be based on a
combination of innovation, collaboration
and performance which has driven the
strong levels of growth which have been
evidenced over the years since listing. The
remuneration policy directly incentivises the
Executive Directors and other members of
the Senior Management Team to continue
to focus on the activities which are likely
to drive further levels of growth, for the
benefit of all stakeholders.
Non-Executive Director remuneration
This year the Board and Committee conducted
a comprehensive review of Board fees, noting
that (other than in respect of the Board Chair)
the fees had not increased since the IPO, and
taking into account the time commitment of
each Director and data from a comparison set
of listed companies. The Committee agreed a
fee of £250,000 for Scott Forbes as Board
Chair, with effect from 1 October 2024. This
reflects his extensive Chair and Director
experience in both North America and the UK
and the required time commitment for the role.
The Board also approved changes to the fees
for other Non-Executive Director roles, taking
effect from 1 October 2024. Full details are set
out on page 125.
The AGM
At the Company’s forthcoming AGM on
30 January 2025, shareholders will be asked
to approve this Directors’ Remuneration Report
by way of an advisory resolution, and the
Directors’ Remuneration Policy by way of
a binding resolution.
I hope the Committee can count on your
support for these resolutions at the AGM. We
remain fully committed to shareholder dialogue
and engagement and I will be present at the
meeting to answer any questions you may have
on our approach to executive remuneration.
Tamsin Todd
Chair of the Remuneration Committee
26 November 2024
Remuneration Committee Report
continued
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Directors’ Remuneration Policy
The remuneration policy sets out the framework for the remuneration of the Directors of Auction Technology Group plc. The Committee is responsible for the development, implementation and review of
the Directors’ remuneration policy. In addressing this responsibility, the Committee works with management and external advisers to develop proposals and recommendations. The Committee considers
the source of information presented to it, takes care to understand the detail and ensures that independent judgement is exercised when making decisions.
The remuneration policy was last approved by shareholders at the AGM in 2022. Accordingly, the policy is subject to reapproval at the AGM to be held in January 2025. During the course of FY24 the
Remuneration Committee confirmed that the policy will remain broadly unchanged from that approved in 2022, taking into account the significant changes to policy implementation which were set out
in last year’s Directors’ Remuneration Report. The Committee believes the policy remains well aligned with the Company’s strategic objectives over both the short and the long term, with market best
practice and with the views of shareholders. The policy is considered to have worked well since it was originally put in place at the time of the IPO in 2021.
The only changes to the policy from that approved in 2022 relate to the malus and clawback provisions (where additional wording has been added to comply with the provisions of the new UK Corporate
Governance Code), to the assessment of performance under the annual bonus (where clarification has been added on the way in which non-financial objectives may be assessed) and to Non-Executive
Director remuneration (where some additional flexibility has been added, including in respect of the fees which may be payable, and the potential for the Board to require Non-Executive Directors to invest
a portion of their cash fee in ATG shares).
During its meetings in FY24 the Committee met to confirm the policy as described above, and the views of management (among others) were taken into account. The Committee is aware of the need to
avoid conflicts of interest and no individual was present when his or her own remuneration was being discussed.
The policy has been prepared in line with the relevant legislation for UK companies. Subject to shareholder approval, the policy will formally apply from the date of the AGM on 30 January 2025. It is the
current intention of the Remuneration Committee that the remuneration policy will apply for three years from the date of approval at the AGM.
Payments to Directors and payments for loss of office can only be made if they are consistent with the terms of the approved remuneration policy. The Committee will be required to seek shareholder
approval for an amendment to the policy if it wishes to make a payment to Directors which is not envisaged by the approved policy. The Remuneration Committee has the ability to exercise discretion in
respect of certain elements of the remuneration policy; this is explained in the relevant section of the policy table and in the sections below the table.
Element
Purpose and link to strategy
Operation
Opportunity
Basic salary
Provides a basic level of
remuneration to ensure the
Company can recruit and retain
individuals with the required
skills and experience to deliver
on the Company’s strategy.
The salaries for Executive Directors depend on their experience and the scope of their role.
The Remuneration Committee also has due regard to practices at peer companies of
equivalent size and complexity and also of the pay and conditions of the workforce generally.
Base salaries will typically be reviewed on an annual basis, with any change normally taking
effect from 1 October.
The receipt of basic salary is not subject to the achievement of performance conditions.
Salary increases will depend on a number of factors, including
individual and Company performance, pay increases for the wider
workforce and levels of inflation.
Individuals who are recruited or promoted to the Board may have
their initial salary set at a lower level than would otherwise be the
case until they become established in their Board role.
Subsequent increases in their salary may be higher than the
average, subject to their ongoing performance and development.
Benefits
Provide a market-competitive
benefits package to
supplement basic salary and to
aid the recruitment and
retention of Executive Directors.
Executive Directors are entitled to receive a standard benefits package, including (but not
limited to) private medical insurance, permanent health insurance and life assurance.
The Committee has the discretion to amend individual benefits and the overall benefits
package and may introduce new benefits within the policy period.
The receipt of benefits is not subject to the achievement of performance conditions.
Benefits are not subject to a specific maximum opportunity under
this policy but in normal circumstances the value of benefits
provided is not expected to change materially year-on-year.
The Committee will consider the benefits available to the wider
workforce when considering any changes to the benefits package
for Executive Directors.
Pension
Provides a market-standard
retirement benefit to
supplement basic salary and to
aid the recruitment and
retention of Executive Directors.
Executive Directors can receive a Company pension contribution, or a cash salary
supplement in lieu of a Company pension contribution.
All Executive Directors (existing and new) receive pension contributions which are aligned to
the rate payable to the majority of the wider workforce.
The receipt of pension contributions (or cash in lieu) is not subject to the achievement of
performance conditions.
The maximum level of Company pension contribution or cash
supplement is 6% of basic salary, which is aligned to the rate
currently available to the majority of the wider workforce.
If the rate payable to the majority of the wider workforce
increases over the policy period, the Committee has the
discretion to increase the rate payable to the Executive Directors
above 6% so that it remains aligned with the wider workforce rate.
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Directors’ Remuneration Policy
continued
Element
Purpose and link to strategy
Operation
Opportunity
Annual
bonus
scheme and
Deferred
Share Bonus
Plan
(“DSBP”)
Provide an annual incentive to
reward Executive Directors for
the achievement of
performance objectives linked
to the short-term strategic
objectives of the business, with
ongoing alignment with
shareholders achieved through
the deferral of a portion of the
bonus into shares.
Annual bonuses are payable subject to the achievement of performance targets set by the
Remuneration Committee. These targets will be determined by the Committee on an annual
basis and will be linked to the short-term strategic priorities for the business. The
Committee has discretion to choose the number of performance metrics which apply to the
bonus in any year and the relative weightings of those metrics. The primary focus of the
bonus scheme will be on rewarding financial performance (normally accounting for a
majority of the bonus) although the Committee may choose to use non-financial
performance conditions (normally for a minority of the bonus scheme).
The Committee will normally review performance against the targets after the end of the
financial year and bonus payments will be determined accordingly. The Committee has the
discretion to adjust the bonus outcome where it believes this is appropriate, including (but
not limited to) where the outcome is not reflective of the underlying performance of the
business or the experience of the Company’s shareholders, employees or other
stakeholders.
Of the total bonus, 75% will be payable in cash and the remaining 25% will be deferred into
shares under the DSBP. Deferred shares must normally be held for a period of three years.
Amounts payable under the annual bonus scheme and the DSBP are subject to malus and
clawback provisions as summarised on page 113.
Where a deferred share award under the DSBP is granted in the form of an option or a
conditional share award, dividend equivalents may be paid in respect of the deferred shares.
The maximum annual bonus opportunity is 125% of basic salary.
For financial measures, 50% of the maximum bonus opportunity
is payable for on-target performance. 25% of the maximum
bonus opportunity is payable for threshold performance. For
non-financial measures, the precise bonus structure may differ
depending on the nature of the objective and the way it is
assessed.
Long Term
Incentive
Plan (“LTIP”)
Provides an annual award of
shares to Executive Directors
which will vest after three
years subject to the
achievement of performance
objectives linked to the
long-term strategic objectives
of the business, aligning the
interests of the Directors with
those of shareholders.
Awards will normally be granted as either nil-cost options or awards of conditional shares.
Awards will normally be granted annually to Executive Directors and will normally vest at the
end of a three-year period subject to the recipient’s continued employment at the date of
vesting and the satisfaction of performance conditions measured over three financial years.
The performance conditions will be determined by the Remuneration Committee on an
annual basis at the time of each grant and will be linked to the long-term strategic priorities
for the business. The Committee has discretion to choose the number of performance
metrics which apply to an LTIP award in any year and the relative weightings of those
metrics. It is expected that the majority of the performance conditions will be based on the
achievement of financial targets (which may include TSR), although the Committee may
choose to apply relevant non-financial performance conditions to a minority of an award.
The Committee will review performance against the targets after the end of the
performance period and the level of vesting will be determined accordingly. The Committee
has the discretion to adjust the vesting outcome where it believes this is appropriate,
including (but not limited to) where the outcome is not reflective of the underlying
performance of the business or the experience of the Company’s shareholders, employees
or other stakeholders.
Dividend equivalents may be paid in respect of any vested shares.
Post-vesting, Executive Directors will be required to hold their vested shares for a further
two years (other than shares which are required to be sold to pay tax due on vesting).
Awards vesting under the LTIP are subject to malus and clawback provisions as summarised
on page 113.
The maximum annual award is 200% of basic salary (or 250% of
basic salary if the Remuneration Committee determines that
exceptional circumstances apply).
Performance conditions are structured such that, for threshold
levels of performance, no more than 25% of the award will vest.
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Directors’ Remuneration Policy
continued
Element
Purpose and link to strategy
Operation
Opportunity
All-employee
share plans
Provide all employees with the
opportunity to participate in
tax-advantaged share plans
and increase the level of
alignment with shareholders.
The Company has the authority to operate an all-employee Sharesave (“SAYE”) Scheme and
an all-employee Share Incentive Plan (“SIP”).
Awards under the SAYE and/or SIP may be offered annually to all eligible employees,
including Executive Directors.
The SIP was implemented in the UK with effect from November 2021. International
sub-plans to the SIP were also implemented in Germany and North America at the
same time.
The Executive Directors are eligible to participate in the SAYE
Scheme and the SIP subject to the limits prescribed under the
applicable legislation governing those plans.
Shareholding
guidelines
Require the Executive
Directors to hold a minimum
level of shares both during
and after the period of their
employment.
Executive Directors are encouraged to build up over a five-year period (as a minimum
through the retention of at least 50% of the after-tax number of vested share awards), and
then subsequently hold, a minimum level of shareholding.
Executive Directors are also required to maintain a minimum level of shareholding for a
period of two years post-cessation of employment.
The minimum shareholding which should be built up by an
Executive Director is equivalent to 200% of their basic salary.
Executive Directors must also maintain a minimum shareholding
equivalent to 200% of basic salary for a period of two years post-
cessation of employment. This will be calculated based on the
lower of (i) the net of tax number of vested shares acquired under
the LTIP or DSBP during their employment and (ii) their actual
shareholding at the time of their departure.
Performance conditions
For the annual bonus scheme and the LTIP, the Remuneration Committee selects performance conditions on an annual basis which are relevant to the Company’s strategic priorities. Performance
targets are set based on a range of outcomes, taking into account both internal and external expectations of performance. Targets are set to be challenging yet realistic. The maximum potential
reward will typically require a stretch level of performance.
Given the importance of financial performance of the Company, for FY25 the Committee will operate the annual bonus scheme for the Directors with performance targets based primarily on financial
metrics, namely revenue (35%) and adjusted EBITDA (35%). These measures reflect important key performance indicators for the business and are closely tracked internally and by major shareholders
and market analysts. The remaining 30% will be based on non-financial objectives linked to certain strategic priorities which are essential for ATG’s future success.
LTIP awards are subject to a combination of long-term measures which are aligned to key long-term business objectives, and may include shareholder value metrics, financial metrics and
non-financial metrics such as ESG. The award to be made in FY25 will be subject to targets based on relative shareholder return (TSR) (45%), absolute TSR (45%) and carbon emission reductions (10%).
The performance metrics used for the annual bonus scheme and the LTIP may change for future financial years as the Company’s strategy evolves and to reflect any additional matters which may be
considered relevant by the Committee. Full details of the metrics and the associated targets will be included in the Annual Report on Remuneration for the relevant year.
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Directors’ Remuneration Policy
continued
Malus and clawback
The rules of the Company’s incentive
schemes include standard recovery and
withholding provisions.
The Remuneration Committee has the ability,
prior to the vesting of an award, to reduce the
number of shares subject to the award in the
following circumstances:
discovery of a material misstatement resulting
in an adjustment in the audited Consolidated
Financial Statements of the Company or of
the audited accounts of any Group member;
discovery of a material failure of risk
management;
the insolvency of the Group;
action or conduct of a participant which, in
the reasonable opinion of the Committee,
causes serious reputational damage to the
Company, any Group member or relevant
business unit;
action or conduct of a participant which, in
the reasonable opinion of the Committee,
amounts to fraud, gross misconduct or a
serious breach of the Company’s policies and
procedures.
In addition, the Committee can also use
clawback provisions such that, for a period of
three years following the date of payment of
a bonus or vesting of an award, if any of the
above circumstances arise (including if there
has been an error in calculating the level of
performance achieved), the Committee may
require the relevant award holder to pay an
equivalent cash amount back to the Company
or transfer some or all of the shares that were
subject to the award.
The clawback period has been set at three years
as that is considered to be a reasonable amount
of time for any of the above circumstances to
be identified. This provides appropriate
protections for the Company while also
providing some certainty to plan participants
regarding the limits on the usage of clawback.
New Directors can participate in incentive
schemes up to the levels of individual
maximum opportunity as set out in the
policy table.
For a new Director joining the Company
part way through the financial year, the
Remuneration Committee has the discretion
to apply different performance conditions for
incentive awards for the first year of
appointment, if considered necessary.
In addition to the above, the Committee may,
in exceptional circumstances, consider it
appropriate to grant an award under a different
structure in order to facilitate the buyout of
outstanding awards held by an individual on
recruitment. Any buyout award would be
limited to what the Committee considers to be
a fair estimate of the value of awards foregone
when leaving the former employer and will be
structured so as to take into account other key
terms, such as vesting schedules and
performance targets, of the awards which are
being replaced. If appropriate, such an award
may be granted as permitted under Listing
Rule 9.3.2R(2).
If considered necessary to attract the right
candidate, the Committee may agree to pay
relocation and other expenses in connection
with the recruitment.
Service contracts
The current Executive Directors have both
entered into service contracts with the
Company dated 17 February 2021. The
contracts have no fixed term and are
terminable by the Director or by the Company
on not less than six months’ prior written
notice. The service contracts are available for
inspection at the Company’s registered office.
The service agreement for any new Executive
Director would be expected to include a
similar notice period. No Director will be
appointed with a notice period that exceeds
12 months’ notice.
Policy on payment for loss of office
The termination arrangements agreed for an
Executive Director who is leaving the business
will depend upon the provisions of the
Directors’ service contract, the rules of the
relevant incentive schemes and the nature of
the individual’s departure. All termination
payments are subject to approval by the
Remuneration Committee.
In the event of termination of employment for
reasons of gross misconduct, the Director will
have no entitlement to any further payment
other than for sums accrued up to the date
of termination.
In the event of termination of employment
for other reasons, payments relating to basic
salary, pension and other benefits will continue
as normal until the date of cessation of
employment. Alternatively, the Committee may
decide to make a payment in lieu of notice.
The Committee may also make any payments
as are considered necessary to settle any claim
or by way of damages, when the Committee
believes it is in the Company’s and in
shareholders’ interests to do so. The Company
may meet a Director’s reasonable legal
expenses if it is considered appropriate to do so.
Annual bonus scheme
Where a Director is deemed by the
Remuneration Committee to be a “good leaver”
(for example in cases of death, ill health, injury
or disability, retirement, redundancy or for any
other reason as determined by the Committee),
they may retain an entitlement to an annual
bonus payment, subject to the Committee’s
normal assessment of the satisfaction or
otherwise of the relevant performance
conditions. Any bonus payment will normally
be made at the normal payment date and
pro-rated to reflect the period served during
the financial year.
Remuneration Commiee discretion
The Remuneration Committee can exercise
discretion in a number of areas when operating
the Company’s incentive schemes, in line with
the relevant rules of the schemes. These
include (but are not limited to):
the choice of participants;
the size of awards in any year (subject to the
limits set out in the policy table above);
the extent of payments or vesting in light of
the achievement of the relevant performance
conditions;
the determination of good or bad leavers and
the treatment of outstanding awards (subject
to the provisions of the scheme rules and the
remuneration policy provisions); and
the treatment of outstanding awards in the
event of a change of control.
In addition, if events occur which cause the
Remuneration Committee to conclude that any
performance condition is no longer appropriate,
that condition may be substituted, varied or
waived as is considered reasonable in the
circumstances in order to produce a fairer
measure of performance that is not materially
less difficult to satisfy.
Remuneration for new Directors
New Executive Directors will be offered
remuneration packages in line with the
Directors’ remuneration policy in force at the
time, with new appointments subject to the
same remuneration principles as apply to
incumbent Directors, which is to provide
packages that are sufficient to attract, retain
and motivate high-calibre talent to help ensure
the Company’s continued growth and success.
Individuals who are recruited or promoted to
the Board may have their initial basic salary set
at a lower level than would otherwise be the
case until they become established in their
Board role. Subsequent increases in their salary
may be higher than the average, subject to their
ongoing performance and development.
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Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
113
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Directors’ Remuneration Policy
continued
Where a Director ceases to be an employee
in other circumstances, they will have no
entitlement to an annual bonus payment
for the year.
Deferred Share Bonus Plan
Where a Director is deemed by the
Remuneration Committee to be a “good leaver”
(see above), deferred shares held under the
DSBP may be released early but only if the
Committee sees fit in its absolute discretion.
Where a Director ceases to be an employee
in circumstances justifying their summary
dismissal and/or as a result of gross
misconduct, deferred shares held under
the DSBP will lapse.
Where a Director ceases to be an employee
for any other reason, their awards will not be
released early but will continue to subsist
under the terms of the DSBP until the end
of the applicable holding period unless the
Committee in its absolute discretion
determines that the award should lapse.
In the event of a change of control of the
Company, DSBP awards will be released early
from their holding period.
LTIP
Where a Director is deemed by the Committee
to be a “good leaver” (see above), unvested LTIP
awards will continue until the normal vesting
date and will become exercisable for a period
of six months following vesting (subject to the
satisfaction of any performance conditions or
underpins) or, where applicable, six months
following the end of the holding period applying
to the award. Unvested awards will normally be
pro-rated to reflect the time that has passed
from the date of grant of the award to the date
of cessation.
Remuneration for other employees
The Directors’ remuneration policy reflects
what the Committee considers to be an
appropriate compensation framework for the
Executive Directors in light of their roles and
responsibilities, what is considered necessary
to retain their services and standard practices
for CEO and CFO remuneration in listed
companies of a similar size and complexity
to ATG. In addition, in devising the policy the
Committee considered the remuneration
arrangements for other employees within
the Company.
ATG considers that a successful Company-wide
compensation policy is essential given the
competitive talent markets within which
ATG operates, and considerable work has
been undertaken to ensure that pay levels
and structures are appropriate throughout
the business.
Many of the policy principles which apply to
the Executive Directors also apply to others
throughout the organisation, in particular the
focus on incentivising outperformance through
a cash bonus scheme and driving alignment
with shareholders through participation in
equity schemes. The Company has also
established all-employee share incentive
schemes in which all eligible employees
may participate.
As is the norm, levels of incentive opportunity
within the wider organisation are lower than
the levels in place for the Executive Directors.
In addition, certain elements of the Directors’
remuneration policy do not apply to others. For
example, annual bonuses for employees other
than the Directors are paid wholly in cash, with
no requirement for an element to be deferred
into shares. There is also a minority weighting
on personal non-financial targets in the bonus
scheme for employees below Board level.
There is no requirement for LTIP awards for
below-Board employees to be granted with a
requirement for performance conditions to be
met prior to vesting. Instead, LTIP awards are
typically granted as restricted shares for
below-Board employees, including senior
executives. Such awards also have a different
vesting profile to the awards granted to
Executive Directors. This recognises the need
for the Company to be able to offer incentives
to employees which are relevant for the
specific commercial circumstances, taking into
account (for example) the requirement for the
Company to be able to compete successfully
for talent in markets such as the North
American technology sector. Employees who
do not qualify for an LTIP award by virtue of
their job level are awarded a one-off award of
shares, one year after joining ATG, which vests
over two years. This is designed to ensure that
all employees have a collective stake in the
future success of the Company.
Tamsin Todd, Chair of the Remuneration
Committee, is also the designated
Non-Executive Director for workforce
engagement. During the year, the Board
engaged directly with employees on a range
of matters.
Consideration of shareholder views
The Remuneration Committee has a policy of
consulting with major shareholders on matters
relating to the remuneration policy or its
implementation. Last year, discussions took
place with a number of key shareholders on the
changes to policy implementation agreed for
FY24. Further dialogue is anticipated in FY25.
The Committee has the discretion to permit a
greater number of unvested awards to vest, to
accelerate the vesting of unvested awards and/
or to waive any holding period applicable to the
award, if it considers it appropriate in the
circumstances (and taking account of the
satisfaction of any performance conditions or
underpins over the shortened period). Different
decisions can be taken in respect of different
grants of awards held by the participant.
Where a Director leaves the Company in other
circumstances, awards normally lapse on
cessation of employment.
In accordance with the plan rules, in the
event of a change of control of the Company
unvested LTIP awards will vest and become
exercisable for a period of six months following
the change of control to the extent determined
by the Remuneration Committee in its absolute
discretion. When making its decision, the
Committee will consider the period of time the
award has been held by the participant and the
extent to which the performance conditions
have been achieved. Where appropriate, and
with the agreement of the acquiring company,
the Committee may specify that unvested
awards will not become exercisable as a result
of the change of control and instead they will
be exchanged (in whole or in part) for awards
over shares in the acquiring company. Different
decisions can be taken in respect of different
grants of awards held by the participant.
Legacy arrangements
The Remuneration Committee has the authority
to honour any commitments entered into with
the existing Executive Directors that pre-date
the approval of the remuneration policy.
In cases where an existing employee is
promoted to the Board, any pre-existing
incentive arrangement will normally continue
in line with its original terms.
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
114
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
3,000k
2,500k
2,000k
1,500k
1,000k
500k
0
Minimum
Target
Chief Executive Officer
Maximum
Minimum
Target
Chief Financial Officer
Maximum
25%
40%
23%
37%
100%
£564k
£1,404k
£2,763k
£2,245k
£444k
£1,118k
£2,208k
£1,793k
29%
46%
25%
40%
23%
37%
100%
29%
46%
Fixed pay
Annual bonus
LTIP
LTIP with 50% share price growth
Directors’ Remuneration Policy
continued
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Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
115
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Illustrations of the application of the
remuneration policy (“Scenario charts”)
The charts on the right give an indication
of the level of total annual remuneration
that would be received by each Executive
Director in accordance with the
remuneration policy (as it will apply in FY25)
in respect of minimum pay (fixed pay), the
pay based on target performance and
maximum performance.
Notes to the charts:
Minimum: Fixed pay, reflecting basic salary
levels with effect from 1 October 2024,
benefits of £15k for the CEO and £4k for
the CFO and a 6% pension contribution.
Target: Fixed pay plus a 50% pay-out
under the bonus and LTIP.
Maximum: Fixed pay plus full pay-out under
the bonus and LTIP. The maximum scenario
includes an additional element to represent
50% share price growth on the LTIP award.
The chart for the CFO illustrates anticipated
pay levels for this role on the basis of the
assumptions above. Please note that as
explained in the statement from the Chair
of the Remuneration Committee, the
current CFO is leaving the business and
therefore will not be entitled to annual
bonus and LTIP participation in FY25.
Directors’ Remuneration Policy
continued
Policy table for the Board Chair and Non-Executive Directors
Element
Purpose and link to
strategy
Operation
Opportunity
Fees
Provide a level
of remuneration at an
appropriate level to
attract and retain
Non-Executive Directors
of an appropriate calibre.
The Chair’s and the other Non-Executive Directors’ fees are set at a level to reflect the
amount of time and level of involvement required in order to carry out their duties as
members of the Board and its Committees, and to attract and retain Non-Executive
Directors of a high calibre with relevant commercial and other experience.
Fee levels are set by reference to non-executive director fees at companies of similar size
and complexity and general increases for salaried employees within the Company.
The fee paid to the Chair is determined by the Remuneration Committee, while the fees for
other Non-Executive Directors are determined by the Board as a whole. Additional fees are
payable in relation to extra responsibilities undertaken, including (but not limited to) acting as
Senior Independent Director, as Chair of the Board’s Committees and as the Director with
responsibility for workforce engagement.
On an exceptional basis the fees payable may temporarily be increased to recognise any
additional commitments undertaken by a Non-Executive Director in respect of his or
her Board role.
Fees are normally payable in cash. The Board has the flexibility to determine that a portion
of the fees must be invested in ATG shares.
Non-Executive Directors are also entitled to reimbursement of reasonable business
expenses (and any related tax).
Fee levels are reviewed
periodically.
The maximum fees
payable are subject to an
aggregate annual limit of
£1m as set out in the
Articles of Association.
Leers of appointment for Non-Executive Directors
The Board Chair and the Non-Executive Directors have all signed letters of appointment. The letters of appointment are available for inspection at
the Company’s registered office. Further details are included below.
Director
Date of appointment to the Board
Date of current leer of
appointment
Notice period (months)
Scott Forbes
26 February 2021
11 November 2024
3
Suzanne Baxter
4 February 2022
11 November 2024
3
Pauline Reader
2 December 2021
11 November 2024
3
Morgan Seigler
18 January 2021
17 February 2021
1
Tamsin Todd
4 February 2022
11 November 2024
3
Andrew Miller
21 November 2024
21 November 2024
3
The Board Chair and the Non-Executive Directors have all been appointed for an initial term of three years, subject to termination by either the
Director or the Company on not less than three months’ prior written notice. The notice period for the Board Chair and the Non-Executive Directors
was increased to three months in early FY25 as this was considered to be appropriate for the roles. All Directors will stand for re-election at each
AGM of the Company.
Recruitment of new Non-Executive Directors
Any new Non-Executive Director appointed during the period covered by this remuneration policy will have their remuneration set in line with the
provisions of the policy table above.
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Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
116
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Annual Report on Remuneration
The Remuneration Commiee
(consideration by the Directors of maers
relating to Directors’ remuneration)
The Remuneration Committee has delegated
responsibility for determining the policy for
executive remuneration and setting
remuneration for the Chair, the Executive
Directors and senior management. It reviews
workforce remuneration and related policies
and the alignment of incentives and rewards
with culture, taking them into account when
setting the policy for Executive Directors’
remuneration. The Remuneration Committee
is also responsible for preparing the Directors’
Remuneration Report for approval by
shareholders at the AGM.
The responsibilities of the Committee covered
in its terms of reference include determining
and monitoring the strategy and policy on
remuneration, termination, performance-
related pay, pension arrangements, reporting
and disclosure, share incentive plans and
remuneration consultants. The terms of
reference also set out the reporting
responsibilities and the authority of the
Remuneration Committee to carry out its
responsibilities. The terms of reference
are available on the Group’s website at
www.auctiontechnologygroup.com.
Commiee members
The Remuneration Committee has been
chaired by Tamsin Todd since 19 September
2024. Its other members are Scott Forbes (who
chaired the Committee prior to 19 September
2024), Suzanne Baxter and Andrew Miller (who
joined the Committee on 21 November 2024).
Breon Corcoran was a member of the
Committee until he stepped down from the
Board in August 2024.
None of the Committee members has any
personal financial interest (other than as
a shareholder) in the decisions made by
the Committee.
During the year under review, no Director was
present for any discussions that related directly
to their own remuneration.
The Committee is also supported by Korn
Ferry, which has advised the Committee on
remuneration matters since the IPO. Korn Ferry
was appointed by the Committee following a
formal competitive tender process. The
Committee exercises appropriate judgement
when considering the work of its external
advisers and, after reviewing the nature and
The Remuneration Committee held four
scheduled meetings and one ad hoc meeting
during the year ended 30 September 2024.
There was full attendance by all members of
the Committee at all meetings they were
eligible to attend.
Commiee support
The Committee is supported by the CEO, CFO,
Company Secretary and Chief People Officer.
Their attendance at Committee meetings is
by invitation from the Committee Chair.
Single total figure of remuneration (audited)
The following table sets out the total remuneration for Executive and Non-Executive Directors for the year ended 30 September 2024, alongside
comparative data for the prior financial year.
All figures shown in £000
Year Salary/fees
Benefits
Pension
9
Total fixed
remuneration
Annual
bonus
5
LTIP
6,7
Total variable
remuneration
Other
8
Total
remuneration
John-Paul Savant
2024
485
15
29
529
76
76
1,339
1,944
2023
451
11
27
489
121
639
760
1,249
Tom Hargreaves
2024
415
4
25
444
58
58
1,145
1,647
2023
354
2
21
377
95
488
583
960
Breon Corcoran
1
2024
129
129
129
2023
75
75
75
Morgan Seigler
2024
2023
Scott Forbes
2
2024
86
86
86
2023
75
75
75
Pauline Reader
2024
58
58
58
2023
54
54
54
Suzanne Baxter
3
2024
71
71
71
2023
70
70
70
Tamsin Todd
4
2024
60
60
60
2023
60
60
60
1.
Stepped down from the Board on 9 August 2024.
2.
Appointed as Board Chair on 9 August 2024. The higher fee for FY24 relative to FY23 reflects the additional remuneration received as Board Chair from this date to the end of the financial year
(see next page).
3. Appointed as Senior Independent Director on 9 August 2024.
4. Appointed as Chair of the Remuneration Committee on 19 September 2024.
5. 75% of annual bonuses for the Executive Directors are payable in cash and the remaining 25% in deferred shares, as explained in the relevant section below.
6.
The FY24 value for LTIP reflects the value as at 30 September 2024 of the FY22 LTIP award, which will vest at a level of 38.1%. The value has been calculated on the basis of a share price of 440.2
pence, being the average price over the three months ended 30 September 2024. This will be updated in next year’s report to reflect the value at the point of vesting in December 2024. None of
the total LTIP value shown is due to share price appreciation.
7.
The FY23 value for LTIP has been restated from the amount shown in last year’s report to reflect the value on the date of vesting (26 February 2024) based on a share price of 601.0 pence.
8.
Certain legacy payments were made to the Executive Directors in 2024 resulting from their entitlements to assets in a pre-IPO Employee Benefit Trust that was wound up during the year. This is
explained further in the relevant section below.
9. Pension amount received as cash salary supplement in lieu of Company pension contribution.
quality of the advice provided during the year,
is satisfied that the advice it received during
the year under review was objective and
independent. Korn Ferry is a member of the
Remuneration Consultants Group and is a
signatory to its Code of Conduct.
Fees payable to Korn Ferry for advice provided
during the year were £83,955 (excluding VAT).
A separate practice within Korn Ferry provides
support to the Board in relation to the potential
recruitment of new Non-Executive Directors.
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
117
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Annual Report on Remuneration
continued
Additional information regarding the
single total figure table (audited)
Salary and fees
As disclosed in last year’s Directors’
Remuneration Report, the salary of John-Paul
Savant was increased by 7.6% with effect from
1 October 2023 to £485,000 in line with the
agreed phased increases to FY26. Tom
Hargreaves received a one-off base salary
increase of 17.2% to £415,000 to reflect his
contribution to the business. Further details are
set out on page 95 of the FY23 Annual Report.
The fee for the Board Chair was revised last
year and increased from £75,000 to £150,000
for FY24 as part of a phased increase to a level
more appropriate for a FTSE 250 company.
Breon Corcoran’s fee for FY24 was therefore
£150,000 until he stepped down from the Board
in August 2024. The Remuneration Committee
subsequently confirmed that the fee for Scott
Forbes as Board Chair would be £150,000,
pro-rated for the period from 9 August 2024
to the end of the financial year.
Other Non-Executive Director fees were
unchanged for FY24. The basic fee was
£60,000, with additional fees of £10,000
paid to each of the Chairs of the Audit
and Remuneration Committees and an
additional fee of £5,000 paid to the Senior
Independent Director. Morgan Seigler does
not receive any fees in respect of his role
as a Non-Executive Director.
Benefits and pensions
Benefits for John-Paul Savant and Tom
Hargreaves relate to private health insurance.
Both Executive Directors received pension
contributions at a level of 6% of basic salary
during the financial year under review, which is
in line with the pension contributions available
to the majority of the UK workforce.
Annual bonus for FY24
The annual bonus for FY24 was structured in line with the Directors’ remuneration policy and with the approach taken in prior years. Each Executive
Director had the opportunity to earn up to 125% of basic salary as a bonus. Performance was again based on adjusted EBITDA and revenue targets,
these metrics being two of ATG’s key financial performance indicators. The FY24 targets set and the performance achieved are shown below:
Measure
Weighting
Threshold $m
Target $m
Stretch $m
Actual
$m
Achievement % of
maximum
opportunity
25% of maximum
1
50% of maximum
1
100% of maximum
1
Adjusted EBITDA
50%
81.6
90.7
104.3
80.0
0%
Revenue
50%
184.3
194.0
208.6
174.2
0%
1.
There is a straight-line payout between these targets.
Based on the performance achieved, no bonus is payable for FY24 performance. The Committee has not exercised any discretion to adjust the
bonus outcome.
Vesting of FY22 LTIP award (based on performance to 30 September 2024)
The LTIP value included in the single total figure table above relates to the awards granted to the Executive Directors in the form of nil-cost options
on 10 December 2021. The vesting of these awards is based on adjusted diluted EPS targets to be achieved over the period ended 30 September
2024, as set out below.
Performance level
Percentage of
award vesting
1
Adjusted diluted
EPS to be achieved
in FY24
Below “threshold”
0%
Below 29.3p
“Threshold”
25%
29.3p
“Stretch”
100%
35.6p
1.
There is straight-line vesting in between these points.
The Remuneration Committee reviewed the performance conditions after the end of FY24. Noting the change in the Company’s reporting currency to US
dollars with effect from FY24, the adjusted diluted EPS outcome in US cents was converted to sterling on the basis of the average GBP/USD exchange rate
for the year, consistent with the wider approach to currency translation across the business. On the basis of an average GBP/USD exchange rate of 1.27 for
the year, the adjusted diluted EPS outcome of 38.6c was converted to 30.4p. On this basis, FY24 performance was judged at above the threshold level
and, accordingly, the FY22 LTIP award will vest in December 2024 at a level of 38.1%. In line with the remuneration policy, the Executive Directors will be
required to hold their vested shares for a minimum of two years (other than shares which are required to be sold to pay tax due on vesting).
The awards are summarised in the table below.
Executive
Grant date
Basis of the
award
(% of salary)
Threshold
vesting
(% of salary)
Number of
shares
granted
1
Face value of
the award at
grant
(£’000)
Level of
vesting
Number of
shares to
vest
Value of
shares to
vest (£’000)
2
Vest date
John-Paul Savant
10 Dec 21
150%
25%
45,410
656.6
38.1%
17,301
76.1
10 Dec 24
Tom Hargreaves3
10 Dec 21
150%
25%
34,725
502.1
38.1%
13,230
58.2
10 Dec 24
1.
The number of shares awarded was calculated on the basis of a share price of £14.46, being the average share price over the five dealing days prior to grant.
2.
Based on a share price of £4.40, being the average price over the three-month period ended 30 September 2024. None of the value of the award is due to share price appreciation.
3.
Assuming Tom Hargreaves is in employment as at the date of vesting in December 2024, he will retain an entitlement to his vested options in line with the rules of the LTIP. The vested options
will lapse if unexercised as at the date of his cessation of employment.
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Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
118
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
LTIP awards granted during FY24 (audited)
LTIP awards were granted to the CEO and CFO on 8 December 2023 in the form of nil-cost options, as set out in the table below.
Executive
Basis of the award
(% of salary)
1
Threshold vesting
(% of salary)
Number of shares
granted
1
Face value of the
award
(£’000)
Grant date
Vest date
John-Paul Savant
200%
25%
161,667
801.5
8 Dec 23
8 Dec 26
Tom Hargreaves
200%
25%
138,333
685.9
8 Dec 23
8 Dec 26
1.
In recognition of the share price level at the time of grant, the LTIP awards were granted by reference to a share price of £6.00, this being equivalent to the original offer price at the time of
Admission in February 2021. The number of shares comprising each award is therefore significantly lower than would have resulted from the normal approach of using the five-day average
share price following the announcement of the Company’s preliminary results for the financial year ended 30 September 2023 (£4.958). The face value shown in the table is based on the share
price of £4.958.
These awards will vest subject to continuing employment and the achievement of targets linked to adjusted diluted EPS, revenue and carbon
emission reductions over the period ending 30 September 2026:
Performance measure
Weighting
(% of award)
Threshold target
(25% of max)
1
Stretch target
(100% of max)
1
Adjusted diluted EPS growth per annum (% CAGR)
60%
10%
22%
Revenue growth per annum (% CAGR)
30%
8%
21%
Carbon emission reductions
2
10%
26%
29%
1.
There is straight-line vesting in between these points. There is no vesting for performance below threshold level.
2.
The carbon measure is based on Scope 1 and 2 CO
2 emission reductions (calculated on a tCO2e basis) over the three-year period ending 30 September
2026, using FY23 emissions as the
baseline year for calculation. The targets are consistent with ATG’s previously communicated Science Based Target of reducing absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 42% by 2030 (from a FY22
baseline year). In the event of any material acquisitions or divestments the Committee retains the right to restate the performance targets so that they remain similarly challenging having
regard to the impact of the corporate activity.
Subject to continued employment and performance, the awards will vest in December 2026, three years after the date of grant. The Directors will be
required to hold any vested shares (excluding those sold to pay tax) for a period of two years following the date of vesting.
Tom Hargreaves’s award will lapse at the date of his cessation of employment.
Annual Report on Remuneration
continued
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
119
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Annual Report on Remuneration
continued
LTIP awards granted during FY23
As previously disclosed, LTIP awards were granted to the CEO and CFO in December 2022 in the form of nil-cost options, as set out in the table below.
Executive
Basis of the
award
(% of salary)
1
Threshold
vesting
(% of salary)
Number of
shares
granted
1
Face value of
the award
(£’000)
Grant date
Vest date
John-Paul Savant
150%
25%
88,589
656.6
15 Dec 22
15 Dec 25
Tom Hargreaves
150%
25%
67,745
502.1
15 Dec 22
15 Dec 25
1.
The number of shares awarded was calculated on the basis of a share price of £7.412, being the average share price over the five dealing days prior to grant.
These awards will vest subject to continuing employment and the achievement of challenging adjusted diluted EPS targets over the period to 30
September 2025:
Performance level
Percentage of
award vesting
1
Adjusted diluted
EPS growth per
annum (% CAGR)
Below “threshold”
0%
Below 5%
“Threshold”
25%
5%
“Stretch”
100%
17%
1.
There is straight-line vesting in between these points.
Subject to continued employment and performance, the awards will vest in December 2025, three years after the date of grant. The Directors will be
required to hold any vested shares (excluding those sold to pay tax) for a period of two years following the date of vesting.
Tom Hargreaves’s award will lapse at the date of his cessation of employment.
Legacy payments made during FY24
Further to the disclosures in last year’s report, certain legacy payments were made in FY24 to a number of continuing employees, including the
Executive Directors. These legacy payments were made as a result of the liquidation of a sub-fund of the Company’s Employee Benefit Trust (“EBT”)
that was established prior to the IPO in 2021 and funded with assets accumulated pre-IPO (during the Company’s period of private equity ownership).
Prior to the IPO, the EBT facilitated the making of pre-IPO equity awards to beneficiaries of the sub-fund out of sweet equity that had been allocated
to management by the private equity investors. However, not all of the assets in the sub-fund were allocated to beneficiaries on IPO. It was agreed
that the legacy sub-fund would be wound up by the trustee in February 2024 (being the third anniversary of the IPO), with the assets of the sub-fund
distributed to its beneficiaries.
The assets that were held in the sub-fund were held for the benefit of pre-IPO employees of the Company and the terms on which such assets were
to be shared were agreed with the trustee of the EBT pre-IPO. Cash distributions were made to a number of employees, including the Executive
Directors, at nil cost to the Company. The gross payments to the Directors totalled £1,339,321 to John-Paul Savant and £1,145,418 to Tom Hargreaves.
The payments were made pursuant to the legacy payment provision contained within the Directors’ remuneration policy. No shareholder approval
was required for the payments. These payments are disclosed in the “Other” column in the single total figure table on page 117. There are no further
payments due under these legacy arrangements.
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
120
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Annual Report on Remuneration
continued
Payments to past Directors/Payments for loss of office (audited)
There were no payments to past Directors or payments for loss of office made during the year.
Breon Corcoran did not receive any payments for loss of office or other payments following his resignation as Board Chair on 9 August 2024.
Statement of Directors’ shareholding and share interests (audited)
The table below includes full details of shares held by each Director (and persons connected with each Director) as at 30 September 2024, including
details of share awards which are subject to the achievement of performance conditions.
During employment, Executive Directors are required to build and maintain a shareholding equivalent to 200% of their base salary. Executive Directors
are expected to build up their shareholding over a five-year period (as a minimum through the retention of at least 50% of the after-tax number of
vested share awards). This requirement was met as of 30 September 2024. Post-cessation of employment, Executive Directors must retain shares to
the value of 200% of base salary for a period of two years in accordance with the Directors’ remuneration policy. There are no former Executive
Directors to whom this requirement currently applies although it will apply to Tom Hargreaves following his cessation of employment.
Director
Beneficially
owned shares on
30 September
2024
Unvested share
awards subject to
performance
conditions
1
Unvested share
awards not
subject to
performance
conditions
2
Options
exercised
in year
Vested
unexercised
share options
Shareholding
requirement
(% of base salary)
Requirement
met?
John-Paul Savant
3,5
2,573,631
295,666
23,381
106,250
200%
Yes
Tom Hargreaves
5
1,046,700
240,803
15,365
81,250
200%
Yes
Breon Corcoran
6
729,497
Morgan Seigler
4
Scott Forbes
160,548
Pauline Reader
Suzanne Baxter
3,389
Tamsin Todd
2,773
1.
Awards granted as nil-cost options under the LTIP.
2. Awards granted as nil-cost options under the Deferred Share Bonus Plan.
3. Shares also held in the name of spouse (Samantha Savant) and the Savant Discretionary Trust (whose trustees are John-Paul Savant and Samantha Savant).
4. Morgan Seigler is not directly interested in any shares but acts as a representative of TA Associates on the Board.
5. The total figure for the number of beneficially owned shares includes the pre-Admission equity awards disclosed in previous Annual Reports. The forfeiture period for these awards has now
passed, although the shares must be held until the fourth anniversary of Admission in February 2025 before they can be sold or otherwise transferred.
6. Share ownership shown as at date of resignation from the Board on 9 August 2024.
7.
No Director exercised any share awards during the year.
There has been no change in the Directors’ interests in the ordinary share capital of the Company between 30 September 2024 and the date of
this report.
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
121
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Annual Report on Remuneration
continued
Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) performance graph and table of CEO pay
ATG shares were admitted to the London Stock Exchange’s Main Market on 26 February 2021. The chart below shows the TSR performance of £100
invested in ATG from 26 February 2021 (using the offer price of 600p per share) to 30 September 2024 against the FTSE 250 index. The FTSE 250
index is considered an appropriate comparison as ATG is positioned within this index.
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
26/02
2021
30/09
2021
30/09
2022
30/09
2023
30/09
2024
Auction Technology Group
FTSE 250
Value (£)
2021
2022
2023
2024
CEO single figure total remuneration (£000s)
580
827
1,249
1,944
Annual bonus (as % of maximum opportunity)
100%
64.5%
21.5%
0%
Long-term incentive vesting (as % of maximum opportunity)
n/a
n/a
100%
38%
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
122
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Annual Report on Remuneration
continued
Annual percentage change in remuneration of Directors and employees
The table below shows the year-on-year percentage changes in the pay of the Directors, as required by the reporting regulations, compared with the
average percentage change for employees for the same periods. The Directors’ remuneration is based on the disclosures in the single total figure
tables for these years. Where relevant, we have annualised the single total figure table disclosures to ensure a meaningful comparison. Explanations
for large increases in prior years are provided in previous Annual Reports.
Director
FY24 vs FY23
FY23 vs FY22
FY22 vs FY21
Salary/fees
Taxable
benefits
Annual
bonus
Salary/fees
Taxable
benefits
Annual
bonus
Salary/fees
Taxable
benefits
Annual
bonus
John-Paul Savant
8%
35%
(100%)
3%
10%
(66%)
3%
43%
(34%)
Tom Hargreaves
17%
54%
(100%)
6%
0%
(56%)
3%
100%
(34%)
Breon Corcoran
72%
0%
0%
Morgan Seigler
Scott Forbes
15%
0%
0%
Pauline Reader
7%
8%
Suzanne Baxter
1%
0%
Tamsin Todd
0%
0%
Employees
Average per employee
1
4%
24%
(62%)
5%
15%
(58%)
3%
11%
(10%)
1.
Figures relate to Group as a whole. No figures are shown for the parent Company as the only employees of the parent Company are the Directors.
CEO pay ratio and wider employee remuneration
As ATG has fewer than 250 UK employees, it is not required by law to include details of total pay for the CEO relative to that of UK employees at the
median, lower quartile and upper quartile. Nevertheless, the Remuneration Committee reviews wider workforce remuneration when setting the
remuneration policy for the Executive Directors and, during FY24, considered in detail the compensation policy and incentives in place across the
wider organisation.
The Committee remains satisfied that the remuneration for the Directors is appropriate in the context of pay practices more widely at the Company,
noting, for example, the focus on performance-related pay throughout the organisation, broad levels of equity ownership across the business and the
alignment of Executive Director pension contributions with the rate applicable to the majority of the wider workforce. In the UK, North America and
Germany, the Company has established all-employee share incentive schemes in which all eligible employees may participate.
The Company offers annual cash bonuses
to employees, subject to performance,
and also makes equity grants. These awards
are a particularly important part of the
compensation packages offered to employees
within the organisation, particularly in reflection
of the sector within which the Company
operates and the increasing focus on North
America. LTIP awards are granted to employees
normally with a different structure than is in
place for Executive Directors. This is
predominantly in the form of restricted share
awards (i.e. awards that are not subject to
performance conditions), which often have a
different vesting profile than Directors’ LTIPs,
reflective of North American market norms and
expectations. This recognises the need for the
Company to be able to offer incentives to
employees which are relevant for the specific
commercial circumstances of competing for
talent in the technology sector, particularly in
North America.
Employees who do not qualify for an LTIP award
by virtue of their job level are awarded a one-off
award of shares, one year after joining ATG,
which vests over two years. This is designed
to ensure that all employees have a collective
stake in the future success of the Company.
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
123
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Annual Report on Remuneration
continued
Pension and benefits
Executive Directors will continue to receive
a pension contribution of 6% of salary, which
remains aligned to the rate currently payable
to the majority of the UK workforce. Other
benefits include private medical insurance,
permanent health insurance and life assurance.
Annual bonus
The maximum annual bonus opportunity
will remain unchanged at 125% of salary for
the CEO. As noted earlier, the CFO will not
participate in the bonus scheme for FY25
given his impending departure from ATG.
The performance measures for the FY25 bonus
will remain appropriately challenging. The
majority of the bonus will again be payable
subject to the achievement of targets linked to
revenue (35% weighting) and adjusted EBITDA
(35% weighting), these being key financial
performance indicators. For the remaining 30%
of the bonus a number of non-financial
measures have been agreed, linked to the
achievement of key objectives based on certain
critical strategic themes. The objectives are
based on platform stability, improved
auctioneer engagement, improved bidder
engagement and infrastructure improvements.
The specific targets for both the financial and
non-financial measures are currently
considered commercially confidential but full
details will be disclosed in next year’s Directors’
Remuneration Report.
Of the total bonus, 75% will be payable in cash
and the remaining 25% will be deferred into an
award over shares under the DSBP to be held
for three years.
Malus and clawback provisions apply in line
with the remuneration policy, as summarised
on page 113.
Relative importance of spend on pay
The table below shows the Company’s expenditure on employee pay compared to distributions to shareholders for FY23 and FY24.
FY24
$m
FY23
$m
% change
Distributions to shareholders
Overall spend on pay for employees, including Executive Directors
35.5
37.5
-5
The FY23 amount has been restated from GBP to USD to reflect the change in the Company’s reporting currency to USD.
Statement of shareholder voting
The table below shows the results of the voting on (1) the Directors’ Remuneration Report resolution at the AGM held on 30 January 2024, and (2) the
Directors’ remuneration policy resolution at the AGM held on 25 January 2022.
% Votes for
% Votes against
Votes withheld
(no.)
Directors’ Remuneration Report (2024 AGM)
98.26
1.74
5,203
Directors’ remuneration policy (2022 AGM)
99.97
0.03
0
Statement of implementation of remuneration policy during FY25
The Annual Statement from the Chair of the Remuneration Committee on pages 107 to 109 explains the context for changes to the Executive
Directors’ basic salary for FY25 and to the incentive schemes. Additional details are set out below.
Base salary
The salaries of the Executive Directors with effect from 1 October 2024 are set out below.
Executive Director
Salary with effect
from 1 Oct 2023
Salary with effect
from 1 Oct 2024
% increase
John-Paul Savant
£485,000
£517,500
6.7
Tom Hargreaves
£415,000
£415,000
0.0
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
124
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Annual Report on Remuneration
continued
Long Term Incentive Plan
The CEO will receive an LTIP award at a level of 200% of salary, in line with the limit in the
Directors’ remuneration policy. The Committee’s intention is that a new CFO will also receive an
LTIP award following their appointment. The performance will be measured over the three-year
period ending 30 September 2027. The performance measures will be relative total shareholder
return (45% weighting), absolute total shareholder return (45% weighting) and carbon emission
reductions (10%). The specific targets are set out below.
Relative TSR (45% of award) performance level – measured
against the FTSE All Share index (excluding investment trusts)
Percentage of this
element of award
vesting
1
TSR position at
the end of the
performance period
Below “threshold”
0%
Below median
“Threshold”
25%
Median
“Stretch”
100%
Upper quartile
Absolute TSR (45% of award) performance level
Percentage of this
element of award
vesting
1
TSR over the
performance period
Below “threshold”
0%
Below 15%
“Threshold”
25%
15%
“Stretch”
100%
45%
Carbon emission reductions (10% of award)
performance level
Percentage of this
element of award
vesting
1
Reduction in
emissions over
performance period
Below “threshold”
0%
Below 7.5%
“Threshold”
25%
7.5%
“Stretch”
100%
15%
1.
There is straight-line vesting in between these points.
The focus on total shareholder return for this award is intended to directly align management
reward with investors, and the overall weighting on TSR reflects the Company’s focus on driving
improved shareholder returns over the three-year period ending 30 September 2027. It is expected
that vesting will only occur following robust underlying performance which is then recognised in
the market’s assessment of the Company and its prospects. The use of both relative and absolute
measures provides a suitable balance between ATG-specific improvements and how this
compares with performance of other UK-listed companies more broadly. The carbon emission
reduction target ties reward to ongoing improvements in minimising ATG’s carbon footprint.
Following significant progress made in FY24, achieving further material reductions in emissions is
increasingly challenging, hence a target range which differs from that agreed for the FY23 award.
Separately, during FY24 the Board also reviewed
the fees for other Non-Executive Directors,
recognising that these had not changed since
the IPO in early 2021. The Board agreed a new
fee structure with effect from 1 October 2024 to
more accurately reflect the time commitment
of each Director, as evidenced by the significant
contributions since their appointment and the
expectations of considerable additional
workload over the coming years as the business
continues to grow in international complexity.
The Board also took into account relevant
sector-based market data, as well as practice
at other FTSE 250 companies. An additional fee
has been added for the designated Director for
workforce engagement to reflect the
requirements of this role.
The fees payable to the Non-Executive
Directors for FY25 are set out below.
Non-Executive Director
Fee
Chair of the Board
£250,000
Non-Executive Director base fee
£65,000
Senior Independent Director
£15,000
Audit Committee Chair’s fee
£20,000
Remuneration Committee Chair’s fee
£17,500
Designated Director for workforce
engagement fee
£2,500
This report was approved by the Board of
Directors and signed on its behalf by:
Tamsin Todd
Remuneration Committee Chair
26 November 2024
The measure is based on assessing Scope 1
and 2 CO
2
emission reductions (calculated on a
tCO
2
e basis) over the three-year period ending
30 September 2027, using FY24 emissions as
the baseline year for calculation. In the event
of any material acquisitions or divestments the
Committee retains the right to restate the
performance targets so that they remain
similarly challenging having regard to the
impact of the corporate activity.
Subject to performance, the awards will vest
three years after the date of grant. As part of
its assessment at the end of the vesting period,
the Committee will consider whether there
have been any windfall gains over the period
from grant to vesting. The Directors will be
required to hold any vested shares (excluding
those sold to pay tax) for a period of two years
following the date of vesting.
Malus and clawback provisions apply in line
with the remuneration policy, as summarised
on page 113.
Non-Executive Director remuneration
Following the appointment of Scott Forbes
as the new Board Chair in August 2024, the
Remuneration Committee reviewed the
appropriate fee level for this role. This
review took into account, among other things,
Scott Forbes’s extensive Chair and Director
experience at listed companies in both North
America and the UK, his specific online
marketplace experience, the expected level
of time commitment in his new role and
peer benchmarking data provided by the
Committee’s external advisers. The Committee
concluded to set the Board Chair fee at
£250,000 with effect from 1 October 2024.
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
125
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Directors’ Report
The Directors present their report, together
with the audited Consolidated Financial
Statements and auditor’s report for the year
ended 30 September 2024.
Auction Technology Group plc is a public
limited company incorporated in the United
Kingdom and registered in England & Wales
with registered number 13141124. The Company
acts as a holding company for the Group of
subsidiaries. A list of its subsidiary companies
is set out in note 25 on pages 177 to 178.
This Directors’ Report should be read in
conjunction with the other sections of this
Annual Report as detailed below to fulfil these
requirements which are incorporated into the
Directors’ Report by reference. In accordance
with section 414C(11) of the Companies Act
2006 and the Companies (Miscellaneous
Reporting) Regulations 2018, the Board has
included certain disclosures in other sections
of the Annual Report set out below:
Topic
Section of report
Pages
Strategy and future developments
Chief Executive Officer’s Statement
10-12
Strategic Report
1-77
Diversity and inclusion
Nomination Committee Report
102-106
Sustainability Report
50-77
Risk management
Risk Management within Strategic Report
35-36
Going concern
Chief Financial Officer’s Review
30-34
Financial Statements
141-183
Viability statement
Viability Statement
41-42
Employee matters, disabled employees and employee engagement
Sustainability Report
50-77
Stakeholder Engagement and s.172 Statement
43-49
Climate-related financial disclosures, greenhouse gas and carbon emissions, energy
consumption and energy efficiency action
Strategic Report
1-77
Sustainability Report
50-77
Business relationships with suppliers, customers and other stakeholder engagement
Stakeholder Engagement and s.172 Statement
43-49
Corporate governance
Corporate Governance Report
81-89
Internal controls
Audit Committee Report
93-101
Financial instruments
Financial Statements
141-183
Statement of Directors’ responsibilities
Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities
131
Directors’ interests
Directors’ Remuneration Report
110-125
Employee share plans
Directors’ Remuneration Report
110-125
Diversity policy
Corporate Governance Report
81-89
UK Listing Rule 6.6.1R disclosures
The following sets out where disclosures required in compliance with UK Listing Rule 6.6.1R are located. There are no other disclosures to be made
under UK Listing Rule 6.6.1R.
Topic
Section of report
Pages
Details of long-term incentive schemes
Directors’ Remuneration Report
110-125
Non pre-emptive issues of equity for cash (including major subsidiaries)
Financial Statements (note 21)
172-173
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
126
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Non-financial and sustainability information statement
The Group complies with the Non-Financial Reporting requirements contained in sections 414CA and 414CB of the Companies Act 2006. The table
below shows where information can be found on non-financial and sustainability matters in the Annual Report.
Reporting requirement
Section of report
Pages
Environmental matters, including the impact of the business on the environment,
climate-related disclosures and energy and carbon reporting
Strategic Report
1-77
Sustainability Report
50-77
Employees
Sustainability Report
50-77
Stakeholder Engagement and s.172 Statement
43-49
Social and community matters
Stakeholder Engagement and s.172 Statement
43-49
Sustainability Report
50-77
Respect for human rights
Sustainability Report
50-77
Anti-bribery and corruption
Sustainability Report
50-77
Business model
Business Model
20-21
Strategic Report
1-77
Chief Executive Officer’s Statement
10-12
Chief Financial Officer’s Review
30-34
Principal risks and uncertainties
Risk Management within Strategic Report
35-36
Non-financial key performance indicators
Strategic Report
1-77
Engagement with employees, suppliers,
customers and others
The Group’s engagement with its stakeholders is
detailed in the Stakeholder Engagement section
of the Strategic Report on pages 43 to 49.
Research and development
The Group is engaged in various research and
development activities regarding innovation and
enhancing its technology applications. These are
set out in the Strategic Report on pages 22 to 27.
Compliance with the UK Corporate
Governance Code 2018 (the “Code”)
The Disclosure Guidance and Transparency
Rules (“DGTR”) require certain information to be
included in a corporate governance statement
in the Directors’ Report. The Corporate
Governance Report is incorporated by reference
and includes details of our compliance with the
Code. Our statement includes a description of
the main features of our internal control and
risk management systems in relation to the
financial reporting process and forms part of
this Directors’ Report.
Dividend
The Directors do not propose the payment
of a dividend (FY23: nil).
Branches
In accordance with the Companies Act
2006, the Board confirms that there were no
branches of the Company or its subsidiaries
during the financial year.
Directors’ Report
continued
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
127
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Board of Directors
The names of the Directors who, at any time during the financial year, were directors of the
Company, are set out below. Further details about each Director are given on pages 90 to 92
of this report.
Name
Position
Date of
appointment
Date of resignation
Breon Corcoran
Chair
25 January 2021
9 August 2024
Scott Forbes
Senior Independent
Non-Executive Director
26 February 2021
9 August 2024 (as SID)
Chair
9 August 2024
John-Paul Savant
Chief Executive Officer
25 January 2021
Tom Hargreaves
Chief Financial Officer
25 January 2021
Suzanne Baxter
Independent Non-Executive
Director
4 February 2022
Senior Independent
Non-Executive Director
9 August 2024
Pauline Reader
Independent Non-Executive
Director
2 December 2021
Morgan Seigler
Non-Executive Director
18 January 2021
Tamsin Todd
Independent Non-Executive
Director
4 February 2022
Andrew Miller was appointed to the Board as a Non-Executive Director from 21 November 2024.
There have been no other changes in the composition of the Board between 30 September 2024
and the date of this report.
All Directors will retire, and being eligible, offer themselves for election or re-election at the
forthcoming AGM.
Directors’ interests in the share capital and equity of the Company as at 30 September 2024 are
contained in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on page 121.
Pursuant to the Relationship Agreement with TA Associates, through its sub-funds TA
X
III-A, L.P.,
TA
X
III-B, L.P., TA Investors
X
III, L.P., TA Investors IV EU AIV, L.P. and TA Subordinated Debt Fund IV,
L.P. (“TA Associates”) that the Company entered into on 17 February 2021, the Company agrees to
appoint one Non-Executive Director nominated by TA Associates to the Board for so long as TA
Associates owns in aggregate more than 10% of the issued ordinary share capital in the Company.
Morgan Seigler is the TA Associates nominated Non-Executive Director.
All other Directors are appointed in their personal capacity.
Directors’ insurance and indemnity
provisions
The Company maintains Directors’ and
Officers’ insurance in respect of any liabilities
arising from the performance of their duties.
In addition, during the financial year ended
30 September 2024 and to the date of this
report, the Directors have had the benefit
of qualifying third-party indemnities under
which the Company has agreed to indemnify
the Directors, to the extent permitted by law
and by the Company’s Articles of Association,
against any liabilities they may incur in the
execution of their duties as directors of the
Company or of its subsidiaries. There were
no qualifying pension scheme indemnity
provisions in force during the 2024 financial
year for the Company’s Directors.
Directors’ interests in contracts
and conflicts of interest
No member of the Board had a material
interest in any contract of significance with the
Company, or any of its subsidiaries, at any time
during the period. Directors are required to
notify the Company of any conflict or potential
conflict of interest.
Capital structure and shareholder
voting rights
The shares in issue as at 25 November 2024,
being the latest practicable date prior to
the publication of this report, consisted of
121,922,241 ordinary shares of 0.01 pence each.
The changes in the Company’s issued
share capital during the financial year are
detailed in note 20 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements.
Rights and obligations of ordinary shares
Holders of ordinary shares are entitled to
attend and speak at general meetings of the
Company and to appoint one or more proxies
or, if the holder of shares is a corporation, one
or more corporate representatives.
On a show of hands, each holder of ordinary
shares who is present in person or by proxy/
corporate representative shall have one vote.
There are no restrictions on voting rights or
the transfer of shares in the Company and
the Company is not aware of agreements
between holders of securities that result
in such restrictions. No shareholder holds
ordinary shares that carry special rights
relating to the control of the Company.
Powers of the Company to purchase
own shares
At the AGM held in January 2024, shareholders
passed a special resolution in accordance with
the Act to authorise the Company to make
market purchases of its own ordinary shares
up to a maximum of 12,164,141 ordinary shares,
representing 10% of the Company’s issued
ordinary share capital as at 5 December 2023. No
shares have been purchased under this authority.
The authority will expire at the conclusion of
the Company’s AGM in January 2025, when the
Company intends to seek a renewal.
Shares held by Employee Benefit Trust
The Employee Benefit Trust (“EBT”) is
a discretionary employee benefit trust
constituted by a trust deed entered into on
12 February 2020 between Auction Topco
Limited and Zedra Trust Company (Guernsey)
Limited, independent offshore professional
trustees (the “Trustee”). The Company
succeeded Auction Topco Limited as the
settlor of the EBT under a deed of succession
entered into on 25 February 2021. The EBT is
operated as an employee share scheme within
the meaning of Section 1166 of the Companies
Act 2006, with the purpose of encouraging and
facilitating the holding of shares by bona fide
employees of the Company (which for these
purposes includes the Executive Directors) and
its subsidiaries, former employees and certain
of their relatives or for their benefit.
Directors’ Report
continued
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
128
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Shares held by the Company’s EBT rank pari
passu with the other shares in issue and have
no special rights. Voting rights and rights of
acceptance of any offer relating to the shares
held in the Trust rests with the Trustee, who
may take account of any recommendation
from the Company.
Relationship Agreement
The Relationship Agreement, which was
entered into on 17 February 2021, remains
effective whilst TA Associates holds at least
10% of the voting rights of the Company. As at
30 September 2024, TA Associates held 12.58%
of the issued share capital of the Company.
The Relationship Agreement provides that:
Transactions and arrangements between the
Company and TA Associates are and will be
at arm’s length and on normal commercial
terms.
Neither TA Associates nor any of its
associates will take any action that would
have the effect of preventing the Company
from complying with its obligations under
the UK Listing Rules (“UKLR”), the Disclosure
and Transparency Rules (“DGTR”), the
requirements of the London Stock Exchange,
the Financial Services and Markets Act,
Market Abuse Regulation or the Articles
of Association.
Neither TA Associates nor any of its associates
will propose, or procure the proposal of, a
shareholder resolution that is intended or
appears to be intended to circumvent the
proper application of the UKLR.
As far as the Company is aware, such provisions
have been complied with during the period
ended 30 September 2024 by TA Associates
and the Board is satisfied that the Company is
able to carry on the business it carries on as its
main activity independently from TA Associates
at all times.
Substantial shareholdings
The table below sets out those shareholders that have notified the Company of their direct or
indirect interest in 3% or more of the issued share capital of the Company in accordance with Rule
5 of the DGTR as at 25 November 2024 being the latest practicable date prior to the publication of
this report:
Shareholder
Holding
% Voting rights
TA Associates Management, L.P.
Indirect
12.57
1
Ameriprise / Threadneedle
Indirect
7.96
1
The Capital Group Companies, Inc.
Indirect
7.95
1
Liontrust
Indirect
6.33
1
abrdn plc
Indirect
5.04
1
T. Rowe Price Group
Indirect
4.97
2
Blackrock, Inc
Indirect
4.86
1
The Vanguard Group Inc.
Indirect
4.13
1
Royal London Asset Management
Indirect
3.19
1
1.
Based on total voting rights of 121,922,241 as at 25 November 2024.
2
Information provided to the Company pursuant to Rule 5 of the DGTR published on Regulatory Information Service and on the
Company’s website.
Change in control
The Company is required to disclose any
significant agreements which take effect,
alter or terminate upon a change of control
of the Company. In common with many
other companies, the Group’s bank facility
is terminable upon change of control of
the Company. In addition, the Relationship
Agreement with TA Associates would also
cease to be effective on a change of control.
In the event of a change of control of the
Company, unvested LTIP awards will vest and
become exercisable for a period of six months
following the change of control to the extent
determined by the Remuneration Committee
in its absolute discretion. When making its
decision, the Remuneration Committee will
consider the period of time the award has
been held by the participant and the extent
to which the performance conditions have
been achieved. Where appropriate, and with
the agreement of the acquiring company, the
Committee may specify that unvested awards
will not become exercisable as a result of the
change of control and instead they will be
exchanged (in whole or in part) for awards over
shares in the acquiring company. Different
decisions can be taken in respect of different
grants of awards held by the participant.
In normal circumstances, holders of the
pre-Admission equity awards must hold
these shares until the fourth anniversary
of Admission before they can be sold or
otherwise transferred. If there is a corporate
event resulting in the change of control of
the Company, the holding period will cease
to apply.
There are no agreements between the
Company and its Directors or employees that
provide for compensation for loss of office or
employment because of a takeover bid other
than for payment for loss of office as detailed
on page 110.
Directors’ Report
continued
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Annual Report 2024
Anti-takeover devices
We do not have any devices which would limit
the ability to perform a takeover of Auction
Technology Group plc. This includes devices
which would limit share ownership and/or issue
new capital for the purpose of limiting or
stopping a takeover.
Modern Slavery Statement
The Company’s Modern Slavery Statement is
reviewed and approved by the Board annually
and published on our corporate website, in line
with Section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act
2015. The statement covers the activities of the
Company and its subsidiaries and details
policies, processes and actions we have taken
to ensure that slavery and human trafficking
are not taking place in our supply chains or
any part of our business. More information on
our statement can be found on our website
www.auctiontechnologygroup.com.
Articles of Association
The rules governing the appointment and
removal of Directors are contained in the
Company’s Articles of Association. Changes to
the Articles of Association must be approved
by a special resolution of the shareholders.
The powers of Directors are described in the
Matters Reserved for the Board document and
the Articles of Association, both of which can
be found on our website.
Political donations
It is not the policy of the Company, or its
subsidiaries, to make political donations
as contemplated by the Companies Act
and no donations were made by the
Company to any political party during the year.
However, the application of the relevant
provisions of the Companies Act is very wide
in nature and normal business activities of the
Company, which might not be considered
political donations or expenditure in the usual
sense, may possibly be construed as political
expenditure and fall within the restrictions of
the Act. This could include sponsorships,
subscriptions, payment of expenses and
support for bodies representing the
community. The Board therefore intends to
renew shareholder authority at the Company’s
AGM to ensure that the Company does not
inadvertently breach these provisions.
Post balance sheet events
There were no events after the balance
sheet date.
Disclosure of information to the auditor
Each of the persons who is a Director at
the date of approval of this Annual Report
confirms that:
so far as the Director is aware, there is no
relevant audit information of which the
Company’s auditor is unaware; and
the Director has taken all the steps that he/she
ought to have taken as a Director in order to
make himself/herself aware of any relevant
audit information and to establish that the
Company’s auditor is aware of that information.
This confirmation is given and should be
interpreted in accordance with the provisions
of Section 418 of the Companies Act 2006.
Auditor
Ernst & Young LLP has indicated its willingness
to continue in office and the Board recommends
the appointment of EY at the forthcoming AGM.
Annual General Meeting
The Company’s AGM will be held at the office
of Travers Smith LLP, 10 Snow Hill, London
EC1A 2AL on Thursday 30 January 2024. The
Notice of AGM accompanies this report as a
separate document.
Shareholders may requisition a general meeting
of the Company, ask for a resolution to be
tabled at the AGM or require the circulation of
a members’ statement in accordance with the
requirements and procedure set out in the
Companies Act 2006.
This report was approved by the Board of
Directors on 26 November 2024 and signed
on its behalf by:
Anne-Marie Palmer
Company Secretary
26 November 2024
Directors’ Report
continued
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Directors’ Responsibilities
Statement of Directors’ responsibilities
in respect of the Annual Report and
Financial Statements
The Directors are responsible for preparing the
Annual Report and the Financial Statements
of the Group and Company in accordance with
applicable law and regulations.
Company law requires the Directors to prepare
financial statements for each financial year.
Under that law the Directors are required to
prepare the Group Financial Statements in
accordance with United Kingdom adopted
International Accounting Standards and with
the requirements of the Companies Act
2006. The Directors have chosen to prepare
the parent Company Financial Statements in
accordance with United Kingdom Generally
Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom
Accounting Standards and applicable law),
including FRS 101 “Reduced Disclosure
Framework” and the Companies Act 2006.
Under company law the Directors must not
approve the financial statements unless they
are satisfied that they give a true and fair view
of the state of affairs of the Company and
of the profit or loss of the Company for that
period.
In preparing the parent Company Financial
Statements, the Directors are required to:
select suitable accounting policies and then
apply them consistently;
make judgements and accounting estimates
that are reasonable and prudent;
state whether applicable UK Accounting
Standards have been followed, subject to any
material departures disclosed and explained
in the financial statements; and
prepare the Financial Statements on the
going concern basis unless it is inappropriate
to presume that the Group will continue in
business.
In preparing the Group Financial Statements,
International Accounting Standard 1 requires
that Directors:
properly select and apply accounting policies;
present information, including accounting
policies, in a manner that provides relevant,
reliable, comparable and understandable
information;
provide additional disclosures when
compliance with the specific requirements
of the financial reporting framework
are insufficient to enable users to understand
the impact of particular transactions, other
events and conditions on the entity’s financial
position and financial performance; and
make an assessment of the Company’s
ability to continue as a going concern.
The Directors are responsible for keeping
adequate accounting records that are
sufficient to show and explain the Company’s
transactions and disclose with reasonable
accuracy at any time the financial position of
the Company and enable them to ensure that
the Financial Statements comply with the
Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible
for safeguarding the assets of the Company
and hence for taking reasonable steps for the
prevention and detection of fraud and other
irregularities.
The Directors are responsible for the
maintenance and integrity of the corporate
and financial information included on the
Company’s website. Legislation in the United
Kingdom governing the preparation and
dissemination of financial statements may
differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
Responsibility statement of the
Directors in respect of the Annual Report
and Financial Statements
We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:
the Financial Statements, prepared in
accordance with the relevant financial
reporting framework, give a true and fair view
of the assets, liabilities, financial position
and profit or loss of the Company and the
undertakings included in the consolidation
taken as a whole;
the Strategic Report includes a fair review
of the development and performance of the
business and the position of the Company
and the undertakings included in the
consolidation taken as a whole, together
with a description of the principal risks and
uncertainties that they face; and
the Annual Report and Financial Statements,
taken as a whole, are fair, balanced and
understandable and provide the information
necessary for shareholders to assess the
Group’s position and performance, business
model and strategy.
This responsibility statement was approved by
the Board of Directors on 26 November 2024
and is signed on its behalf by:
John-Paul Savant
Tom Hargreaves
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Financial Officer
26 November 2024
26 November 2024
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Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Auction Technology Group plc
Opinion
In our opinion:
Auction Technology Group plc’s Group financial statements and parent Company financial
statements (the “financial statements”) give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s and
of the parent Company’s affairs as at 30 September 2024 and of the Group’s profit for the year
then ended;
the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with UK adopted
International Accounting Standards;
the parent Company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with
United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the
Companies Act 2006.
We have audited the financial statements of Auction Technology Group plc (the ‘parent Company’)
and its subsidiaries (the ‘Group’) for the year ended 30 September 2024 which comprise:
Group
Parent Company
Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and
Other Comprehensive Income or Loss for the year
ended 30 September 2024
Company Statement of Financial Position as
at 30 September 2024
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as at
30 September 2024
Company Statement of Changes in Equity
for the year then ended
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity for
the year then ended
Related notes 1 to 11 to the financial
statements including material accounting
policy information
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the
year then ended
Related notes 1 to 25 to the financial statements,
including material accounting policy information
The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the Group financial
statements is applicable law and UK adopted International Accounting Standards. The financial
reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the parent Company financial
statements is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 101
Reduced Disclosure Framework (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and
applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s
responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We believe that the
audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Independence
We are independent of the Group and parent in accordance with the ethical requirements that are
relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard as
applied to listed public interest entities, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in
accordance with these requirements.
The non-audit services prohibited by the FRC’s Ethical Standard were not provided to the Group
or the parent Company and we remain independent of the Group and the parent Company in
conducting the audit.
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Directors’ use of the going
concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. Our
evaluation of the Directors’ assessment of the Group and parent Company’s ability to continue to
adopt the going concern basis of accounting included:
Confirming our understanding of management’s going concern assessment process in
conjunction with our walkthrough of the Group’s financial statements close process and
engaging with management to ensure key factors such as covenant compliance, the Group’s net
current liability position and the Group’s liquidity position were considered in their assessment,
ensuring this is consistent with our own independent risk assessment.
Obtaining management’s assessment of going concern, being for the period to 31 December
2025, including the underlying forecast models used in the assessment. For the period
assessed, we confirmed that the forecasts used were consistent with the longer term forecasts
used in the impairment assessments.
Challenging the appropriateness of management’s forecasts and consideration of downside
sensitivities. This involved:
Challenging management’s ability to forecast accurately by reviewing management’s previous
assessments against actual results
Confirming that the forecasts used were the same as those which were approved by the Board
Challenging the forecasts by comparing key assumptions (including revenue, costs and cash
flows) against current business activity
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Ensuring that management’s downside scenarios were reflective of the principal risks of the
business and had been quantified within the modelling in a sufficient manner
Performing an independent reverse stress test to determine the relevant combination of
downturn factors during the period under assessment which would eliminate the covenant
and liquidity headroom and comparing this with actual historical performance.
Considering whether there are other potential downsides for the Group which are not
modelled in management scenarios and the potential impact of these.
Engaging EY specialists to test the clerical accuracy and logical integrity of the cash flow
forecast model used to prepare the Group’s going concern assessment, as well as challenging
the overall appropriateness of management’s forecast in the context of future cash flows.
Reviewing the underlying terms, including covenant requirements, of the debt facilities by
examination of executed documentation.
Extending our procedures to consider events beyond 31 December 2025 (the end of the going
concern period) including enquiries of management and reviewing the maturity of debt to
challenge the Group’s assumptions around its access to continued financing.
Assessing whether there was a reasonable possibility of ATG being able to refinance the current
facility prior to its scheduled expiry with assistance from our debt advisory specialists, noting
the maturity of the Group’s senior facility which is due to expire within six months of the going
concern period (June 2026).
Assessing whether any material climate-related risks should be incorporated into the Group’s
forecasts in the period assessed for going concern, including the shorter term cash costs
associated with the actions the Group intends to take to achieve its longer term science
based targets.
Considering whether any contradictory evidence exists that indicates additional uncertainty in
management’s forecast, including reviewing board minutes, analyst reports, press reports and
making other enquiries of management. We additionally reviewed external forecasts in relation
to the underlying industry verticals and economic forecasts to identify inconsistencies with
management’s assessment.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating
to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Group
and parent Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for the period through to 31
December 2025.
In relation to the Group and parent Company’s reporting on how they have applied the UK
Corporate Governance Code, we have nothing material to add or draw attention to in relation to
the Directors’ Statement in the financial statements about whether the Directors considered it
appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of accounting.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Directors with respect to going concern are
described in the relevant sections of this report. However, because not all future events or
conditions can be predicted, this statement is not a guarantee as to the Group’s ability to continue
as a going concern.
Overview of our audit approach
Audit scope
We performed an audit of the complete financial information of four
components, audit procedures on specific balances for one component,
and specified audit procedures on three additional components.
The components where we performed full, specific or specified audit
procedures accounted for 88% of EBITDA, 74% of revenue and 99% of
total assets.
Key audit matters
Overstatement of revenue recognition as a result of management override
Capitalisation and impairment of internally generated software costs
Impairment of goodwill and acquired intangibles
Materiality
Overall Group materiality of $1.4m which represents 2% of EBITDA.
An overview of the scope of the parent Company and Group audits
Tailoring the scope
Our assessment of audit risk, our evaluation of materiality and our allocation of performance
materiality determine our audit scope for each Company within the Group. Taken together, this
enables us to form an opinion on the consolidated financial statements. We take into account size,
risk profile, the organisation of the Group and effectiveness of group-wide controls, changes in the
business environment, the potential impact of climate change and other factors such as recent
Internal audit results when assessing the level of work to be performed at each component.
In assessing the risk of material misstatement to the Group financial statements, and to ensure
we had adequate quantitative coverage of significant accounts in the financial statements, of the
29 reporting components of the Group, we selected five components covering entities within the
UK and North America, which represent the principal business units within the Group.
Of the five components selected, we performed an audit of the complete financial information of
four components (“full scope components”) which were selected based on their size or risk
characteristics. For the remaining component (“specific scope component”), we performed audit
procedures on specific accounts within that component that we considered had the potential for
the greatest impact on the significant accounts in the financial statements either because of the
size of these accounts or their risk profile.
The reporting components where we performed audit procedures accounted for 88% of the
Group’s EBITDA, 74% of the Group’s revenue and 99% of the Group’s total assets. For the current
year, the full scope components contributed 88% of the Group’s EBITDA, 74% of the Group’s
revenue and 99% of the Group’s total assets. The specific scope component which is solely a
financing entity in the Group contributed 0% of the Group’s EBITDA, revenue and total assets but
included all of the Group’s external financing liabilities and interest costs. We also selected three
components to perform specified procedures such as revenue analytical procedures including
correlation and cash anchor testing, testing the existence of accounts receivable/contract assets
through to delivery support and cash receipt, expected credit loss assessment, cash confirmation
testing, and data-driven journal entry testing as described in the Risk section above.
Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Auction Technology Group plc
continued
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Annual Report 2024
Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Auction Technology Group plc
continued
Of the remaining 21 components that together represent less than 1% of the Group’s EBITDA.
For these components, we performed other procedures, including analytical review, testing
of consolidation journals and intercompany eliminations and foreign currency translation
recalculations to respond to any potential risks of material misstatement to the Group
financial statements.
Involvement with component teams
In establishing our overall approach to the Group audit, we determined the type of work that
needed to be undertaken over each of the components by us, as the primary audit engagement
team, or by our component team.
The Group audit team performed procedures over the two full scope UK components, the specific
scope component, and one of the specified procedures components operating under the
oversight of the Group Senior Statutory Auditor.
For the remaining two full scope entities and two specified procedures entities, where the work
was performed by component auditors, we determined the appropriate level of involvement to
enable us to determine that sufficient audit evidence had been obtained as a basis for our opinion
on the Group as a whole.
For these components, there were regular face to face interactions between the primary team
and component team due to the Group Senior Statutory Auditor being located in the same
location as the component team. There were regular discussions on the audit approach and any
issues arising from the work, including reviewing relevant audit working papers on risk areas and
meeting with component management.
The primary team attended meetings with management to understand the flow of revenue
transactions in the component locations including relevant controls in operation. We were also
directly involved in determining the audit approach in these areas.
This, together with the additional procedures performed at Group level, gave us appropriate
evidence for our opinion on the Group financial statements.
Climate change
Stakeholders are increasingly interested in how climate change will impact Auction Technology
Group plc. The Group has determined that the most significant future impacts from climate
change on its operations will be from potential outages of data centres as a result of acute
weather events, increased competition in the online secondary goods market and increasing costs
from hosting providers from increased carbon prices. These are explained on pages 60 to 63 in
the Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosures and on pages 37 to 40 in the principal
risks and uncertainties. They have also explained their climate commitments on page 59.
All of these disclosures form part of the “Other information”, rather than the audited financial
statements. Our procedures on these unaudited disclosures therefore consisted solely of
considering whether they are materially consistent with the financial statements, or our
knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appear to be materially misstated,
in line with our responsibilities on “Other information”.
In planning and performing our audit we assessed the potential impacts of climate change on the
Group’s business and any consequential material impact on its financial statements.
The Group has explained in note 1, the basis of preparation, how they have reflected the impact of
climate change in their financial statements, including how this aligns with their commitment to
the aspirations of the Paris Agreement to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. There are no
significant judgements or estimates relating to climate change in the notes to the financial
statements, given that the Group’s operations focus on providing digital marketplace technology,
which is considered to have a lower environmental impact.
Our audit effort in considering the impact of climate change on the financial statements was
focused on evaluating management’s assessment of the impact of climate risk, physical and
transition, their climate commitments, the effects of material climate risks disclosed on pages 60
to 63 and whether these have been appropriately reflected in line with the requirements of the
relevant accounting framework. As part of this evaluation, we performed our own risk
assessment, supported by our climate change internal specialists, to determine the risks of
material misstatement in the financial statements from climate change which needed to be
considered in our audit.
We also challenged the Directors’ considerations of climate change risks in their assessment of
going concern and viability and associated disclosures. Where considerations of climate change
were relevant to our assessment of going concern, these are described above.
Based on our work we have not identified the impact of climate change on the financial
statements to be a key audit matter or to impact a key audit matter.
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Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Auction Technology Group plc
continued
Key audit maers
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in our audit of the financial statements of the current period and include the most significant
assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) that we identified. These matters included those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy, the allocation of
resources in the audit; and directing the efforts of the engagement team. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in our opinion thereon,
and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.
Overstatement of revenue recognition as a result of management override (FY24: $174.2m, FY23: $165.9m)
Refer to the Accounting policies (pages 150 and 151); and note 5 of the Consolidated Financial Statements (page 158)
The recognition of revenue across the Group’s revenue streams includes manual processes, primarily in relation to the recognition of contract assets and liabilities, as well as with respect to the
accounting for manual provisions for revenue earned but not yet reconciled with Auction Houses.
There is a risk that revenue may be manipulated through management override of the manual processes to meet key performance targets which are based on revenue performance and adjusted
diluted EPS growth.
Our response to the risk
Key observations communicated to the Audit Committee
For all significant revenue balances which we deemed to be in scope, we:
Performed walkthroughs of the revenue processes and assessed the design effectiveness of key controls.
Obtained management’s year end reconciliation of the Customer Relationship Management (‘CRM’) system and the general ledger. We tested any
reconciling items identified in the reconciliation as the manual nature of this exercise increases the opportunity for management override to occur.
Obtained management’s calculation of credit note and hammer value provisions recognised at the balance sheet date. These provisions are calculated
manually and therefore are more susceptible to management override. The key input in the calculation is the provision rate, which is calculated based on
historic trends. We corroborated this provision rate to the historic actuals. We additionally obtained the listing of credit notes issued subsequent to the
balance sheet date to ensure that the provisions recognised by management were consistent with actual credit notes raised post the balance sheet date.
For contract assets, which represent accrued income for when the Group has satisfied its performance obligations prior to invoicing, we have a selected
a sample and obtained supporting evidence to validate the timing of auction completion. We have also traced the amounts to subsequent invoices and
agreed the amounts recognised through to the underlying contract to validate the recognition of revenue of event fees and commissions earned.
For contract liabilities, which represent deferred income for software/subscription fees received in advance of all performance obligations being fully
satisfied or satisfied over time, we selected a sample and obtained supporting evidence in the form of the supporting invoice and proof of payment. We
tested the amounts that has been released from deferred revenue by recalculating the subscription period which had elapsed since the service was
activated compared with the length of the service to validate the correct allocation between the revenue recognised in the current and future period.
We have also:
Performed disaggregated analytical reviews by revenue stream and, where applicable, by underlying revenue data points, investigating any trends
outside of expectations.
Used data analytics to complete a correlation of revenue transactions recognised during the period through to trade receivables and cash receipts, in
full scope locations. We have performed additional substantive testing on a sample of journal entries not following the expected flow of transactions.
Reviewed the Group’s revenue accounting policy in accordance with IFRS 15.
Reviewed the Group’s disclosures in relation to revenue recognition in the Annual Report and Accounts to confirm the adequacy of disclosure of
the Group’s revenue accounting policy and associated judgements.
Data driven journal entry testing was also performed over full and specific scope locations on a risk-based approach, to identify and evaluate any
unusual journals posted by Group/component management to revenue, including testing consolidation journals.
We performed full scope procedures over revenue over three components, which covered 74% of all Group revenue. We performed the full extent of
procedures noted above for revenue on two further components within our specified procedures scope.
Revenue for the year to 30 September 2024 has
been recognised appropriately in accordance with
IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers.
We concluded that management’s disclosures in
relation to revenue, including disclosed accounting
policies, are appropriate. As part of our
procedures, we noted no indication of deliberate
or other manipulation of revenue cut-off
or management override.
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Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Auction Technology Group plc
continued
Capitalisation and impairment of internally generated software (FY24: $18.9m net book value including $10.8m additions, FY23: $14.3m net book value including $10.8m additions)
Refer to the Audit Committee Report (page 98); Accounting policies (page 148); and note 12 of the Consolidated Financial Statements (page 163)
There is a risk that costs could be inappropriately capitalised as internally generated software as an opportunity for management to improve market KPIs such as EBITDA and performance targets
linked to remuneration, such as adjusted diluted EPS growth.
There is also significant judgement relating to IAS 38 capitalisation criteria and a risk that the carrying values of capitalised costs are not supported by incremental future cashflows, in line with IAS 36.
Our response to the risk
Key observations communicated to the Audit Committee
Our procedures focused on assessing the projects with significant capitalisation in the period, in particular in relation to whether these projects
met the criteria for capitalisation under IAS 38 and SIC-32 (capitalisation criteria for website costs), and whether there were any indicators of
impairment for the projects.
For all significant balances of internally generated software costs which had been capitalised, which we deemed to be in scope, we:
Performed walkthroughs of the capitalised internally generated software process and assessed the design effectiveness of key controls.
Selected a sample of key feature projects to understand the nature of the additions and assessed whether items have been appropriately
capitalised in accordance with IAS 38 at a project level. We specifically challenged this with respect to features that are already in use, in order to
corroborate management’s judgements around whether the costs are likely to give rise to incremental economic benefit.
Performed analytical procedures, including comparisons of amounts capitalised year on year, and the ratio of costs capitalised versus expenses
in comparison to prior periods and comparator benchmarks.
Challenged management with respect to the useful economic life of the assets capitalised.
Audited a sample of underlying capitalised costs to supporting documentation, including third party invoices where these related to external
contractor costs, and underlying payroll records for internal capitalised salaries, challenging the reasonableness of the allocation of salary costs
being capitalised through reviewing the proportion of their time spent on the project and discussions directly with project managers to
corroborate this.
Reviewed the Group’s disclosures in relation to capitalised internally generated software in the Consolidated Financial Statements to confirm the
adequacy of disclosure of the Group’s capitalisation policy and associated judgements.
Assessed the impairment of assets in use and those still under development in accordance with IAS 36 by considering whether there are any
indicators of impairment, including obsolescence/replacement of technology or key features.
Searched for journal entries posted in relation to capitalised internally generated software that meet certain unusual qualitative criteria, such as
those posted by senior finance personnel or those posted outside of the standard close process. We obtained supporting evidence to validate the
amounts posted, including obtaining relevant approvals for the journal entry. No such journal entries were identified.
All procedures were performed by the Group primary team covering 95% of the balance.
We concluded that the capitalisation of internally
generated software under IAS 38 are materially
correct, and that it is appropriate that no
impairment has been recorded on these assets at
30 September 2024.
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Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
137
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Auction Technology Group plc
continued
Impairment of goodwill and acquired intangibles (FY24: $590.0m net book value of goodwill and $225.4m net book value of acquired intangibles, FY23: $578.6m net book value of goodwill and $255.5m net book
value of acquired intangible assets)
Refer to the Audit Committee Report (page 96); Accounting policies (page 149); and note 12 of the Consolidated Financial Statements (pages 163 to 165)
Management applies judgement in assessing the valuation of goodwill and acquired intangibles, particularly in estimating future cash flows and deriving the appropriate discount rates. There is a risk
that impairments are not identified, and that the value of goodwill and acquired intangibles are overstated.
Our response to the risk
Key observations communicated to the Audit Committee
We performed the following:
Understood the annual goodwill and acquired intangible impairment process and assessed the design effectiveness of key controls.
We compared management’s process and methodology against the requirements of IAS 36 Impairment of Assets, including reviewing
management’s paper on the cash generating units (“CGUs”).
Validated the mathematical accuracy of the model management uses to quantify its impairment assessment.
Compared the discount rates and growth rates used by management to a range of acceptable outcomes determined independently by EY
specialists.
Challenged management in relation to the key assumptions included within the forecast through enquiries of local management, commercial
finance and product development teams, as well as external market data. We ensured consistency of key assumptions with forecasts used in
other management assessments, including going concern.
Searched for any contradictory evidence, including whether any indicators of impairment are omitted from management’s assessment, including
review of Board minutes, analyst reports, press reports and other enquiries of management. We also challenged management as to the
robustness of the process performed by discussing potential external and internal sources of indicators of impairment.
Assessed the adequacy of sensitivity analysis performed by management and performed additional sensitivities for known uncertainties within
the business that may not have been modelled directly by management.
Assessed the historical accuracy of management’s forecasting process through reviewing forecast versus actuals analyses for the current year.
Reviewed the Group’s disclosures in accordance with the requirements of IAS 36 and IAS 1 to confirm the adequacy of disclosure.
All procedures were performed by the Group primary team covering 100% of the balance.
Based on our procedures performed, we are
satisfied goodwill is appropriately stated and
concluded that the disclosure in the Consolidated
Financial Statements in relation to the impairment
assessment of goodwill is appropriate. The
impairment test for Auction Services
cash-generating units is sensitive to adverse
changes that could arise given the uncertainties
surrounding future cash flows. Management
describes these sensitivities appropriately in note
12 to the financial statements, in accordance with
IAS 36.
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Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
138
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Auction Technology Group plc
continued
Our application of materiality
We apply the concept of materiality in planning and performing the audit, in evaluating the effect
of identified misstatements on the audit and in forming our audit opinion.
Materiality
The magnitude of an omission or misstatement that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably
be expected to influence the economic decisions of the users of the financial statements. Materiality
provides a basis for determining the nature and extent of our audit procedures.
We determined materiality for the Group to be $1.4m, which is 2% of EBITDA. We believe that
EBITDA provides us with the most relevant performance measure to the stakeholders of the
Group, taking into account the maturity of the Group as a listed business, the metrics on which
the most focus is given by the users of the financial statements (including analysts and external
banking arrangements, and benchmarks to comparable companies.
We determined materiality for the parent Company to be £5.4m, which is 1% of net assets. Where
parent Company balances were audited as part of the Group audit, they were audited to an
allocation of the Group’s performance materiality.
The previous auditor determined materiality for the Group to be £1.6m, based on a blended
assessment of 3% of adjusted EBITDA and 5% of profit before tax.
Performance materiality
The application of materiality at the individual account or balance level. It is set at an amount to
reduce to an appropriately low level the probability that the aggregate of uncorrected and
undetected misstatements exceeds materiality.
On the basis of our risk assessments, together with our assessment of the Group’s overall control
environment, our judgement was that performance materiality was 50% of our planning
materiality, namely $0.7m. We have set performance materiality at this percentage on the basis
that this is our first year as auditors of the Group.
Audit work at component locations for the purpose of obtaining audit coverage over significant
financial statement accounts is undertaken based on a percentage of total performance
materiality. The performance materiality set for each component is based on the relative scale
and risk of the component to the Group as a whole and our assessment of the risk of
misstatement at that component. In the current year, the range of performance materiality
allocated to components was $0.2m to $0.6m.
Reporting threshold
An amount below which identified misstatements are considered as being clearly trivial.
We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to them all uncorrected audit
differences in excess of $0.07m, which is set at 5% of planning materiality, as well as differences
below that threshold that, in our view, warranted reporting on qualitative grounds.
We evaluate any uncorrected misstatements against both the quantitative measures of materiality
discussed above and in light of other relevant qualitative considerations in forming our opinion.
Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report set out on pages 1
to 131, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The Directors are
responsible for the other information contained within the Annual Report.
Our opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements does not cover the other information and,
except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in this report, we do not express any form of
assurance conclusion thereon.
Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other
information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements, or our knowledge obtained in
the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such
material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine
whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If,
based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of the
other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
Opinions on other maers prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited has been properly
prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006.
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
the information given in the Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report for the financial year for
which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
the Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report have been prepared in accordance with
applicable legal requirements.
Maers on which we are required to report by exception
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Group and the parent Company and its
environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in
the strategic report or the Directors’ Report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies
Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent Company, or returns adequate
for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
the parent Company financial statements and the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to
be audited are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
certain disclosures of Directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit
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Financial Statements
Further Information
139
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Auction Technology Group plc
continued
Corporate Governance Statement
We have reviewed the Directors’ statement in relation to going concern, longer-term viability and
that part of the Corporate Governance Statement relating to the Group and Company’s
compliance with the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code specified for our review by
the UK Listing Rules.
Based on the work undertaken as part of our audit, we have concluded that each of the following
elements of the Corporate Governance Statement is materially consistent with the financial
statements or our knowledge obtained during the audit:
Directors’ statement with regards to the appropriateness of adopting the going concern basis of
accounting and any material uncertainties identified set out on page 34;
Directors’ explanation as to its assessment of the Company’s prospects, the period this
assessment covers and why the period is appropriate set out on pages 41 and 42;
Director’s statement on whether it has a reasonable expectation that the Group will be able to
continue in operation and meets its liabilities set out on page 34;
Directors’ statement on fair, balanced and understandable set out on page 99;
Board’s confirmation that it has carried out a robust assessment of the emerging and principal
risks set out on pages 37 to 40;
The section of the Annual Report that describes the review of effectiveness of risk management
and internal control systems set out on page 100; and
The section describing the work of the Audit Committee set out on pages 94 and 95.
Responsibilities of Directors
As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities Statement set out on page 131, the
Directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied
that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Directors determine is
necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the Directors are responsible for assessing the Group and
parent Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related
to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Directors either
intend to liquidate the Group or the parent Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic
alternative but to do so.
Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a
whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an
auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but
is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a
material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are
considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to
influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Explanation as to what extent the audit was considered capable of detecting
irregularities, including fraud
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We
design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect irregularities, including
fraud. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not
detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example,
forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion. The extent to which our
procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below.
However, the primary responsibility for the prevention and detection of fraud rests with both
those charged with governance of the Company and management.
We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks that are applicable to the
Group and determined that the most significant are those that relate to the reporting framework
(namely UK-adopted international accounting standards, Financial Reporting Standard 101
Reduced Disclosure Framework, the Companies Act 2006, the UK Corporate Governance Code),
the Listing Rules of the London Stock Exchange, and the tax legislation in the Group’s various
jurisdictions. In addition, we concluded there to be other significant laws and regulations with a
material indirect effect on the financial statements, being the General Data Protection
Regulations, UK Bribery Act, employment law, Energy and Carbon regulations, USA Firearms
legislation, Laws around sale of Nazi memorabilia in Germany, Restrictions of ivory items and
Competition law in the Group’s various jurisdictions.
We understood how Auction Technology Group plc is complying with those frameworks through
enquiries of Group management, the Internal Audit function and internal legal counsel. We
corroborated our enquiries through reviewing Board and Audit Committee minutes, as well as
considering the results of our audit procedures across the Group.
We assessed the susceptibility of the Group’s financial statements to material misstatement,
including how fraud might occur by meeting with management to understand where they
considered there was susceptibility to fraud. We also considered performance targets and their
influence on efforts made by management to manage earnings or influence the perceptions of
analysts. We considered the programmes and controls that the Group has established to
address the risk identified, or that otherwise prevent, deter and detect fraud; and how senior
management monitors those programmes and controls.
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Financial Statements
Further Information
140
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Auction Technology Group plc
continued
Based on this understanding we designed our audit procedures to identify non-compliance with
such laws and regulations. Our procedures involved reviewing Board minutes to identify
non-compliance with such laws and regulations, reviewing reports issued to the Audit and Risk
Committee on compliance with regulations, enquiries with legal counsel, Group management
and internal audit, as well as performing journal entry testing. We performed specific key word
searches using criteria defined based on our understanding of the business, enquiries of Group
management, Our focus centred around journal entries indicating unusual transactions using our
data analytics platform, supported by discussions with our internal forensics specialists.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on
the Financial Reporting Council’s website at https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This
description forms part of our auditor’s report.
Other maers we are required to address
Following the recommendation from the Audit Committee we were appointed by the Company
on 28 February 2024 to audit the financial statements for the year ending 30 September 2024
and subsequent financial periods.
The period of total uninterrupted engagement including previous renewals and reappointments
is one year, covering the year ended 30 September 2024.
The audit opinion is consistent with the additional report to the audit committee.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the Company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of
Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to
the Company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report
and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume
responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the Company’s members as a body, for our
audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Katie Dallimore-Fox (Senior statutory auditor)
for and on behalf of Ernst & Young LLP, Statutory Auditor
Reading
26 November 2024
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Financial Statements
Further Information
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Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income or Loss
for the year ended 30 September 2024
Note
Year ended
30 September
2024
$000
Restated
Year ended
30 September
2023
$000
Revenue
4,5
174,148
165,886
Cost of sales
(56,924)
(53,301)
Gross profit
117,224
112,585
Administrative expenses
(82,596)
(85,834)
Net impairment (loss)/gain on trade receivables
14
(2,224)
210
Other operating income
24
666
Operating profit
6
32,428
27,627
Finance income
8
258
220
Finance costs
8
(14,303)
(19,183)
Net finance costs
8
(14,045)
(18,963)
Profit before tax
18,383
8,664
Income tax
9
5,809
11,879
Profit for the year aributable to the equity holders of the Company
24,192
20,543
Other comprehensive income/(loss) for the year aributable to the equity holders of the Company
Items that may subsequently be transferred to profit and loss:
Foreign exchange differences on translation of foreign operations
944
3,826
Fair value gain arising on hedging instruments during the year
22
13,019
14,478
Tax relating to these items
9
(3,255)
(3,186)
Other comprehensive income for the year, net of income tax
10,708
15,118
Total comprehensive income for the year aributable to the equity holders of the Company
34,900
35,661
Earnings per share
cents
cents
Basic
10
19.7
16.8
Diluted
10
19.5
16.7
The above results are derived from continuing operations.
The notes on pages 145 to 178 are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended 30 September 2023 have been restated throughout to be presented in US dollars, as detailed in note 1. In addition, net impairment (loss)/gain
on trade receivables is separated from administrative expenses, where they were reported in previous periods.
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Financial Statements
Further Information
142
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
as at 30 September 2024
 
Note
30 September
2024
$000
Restated
30 September
2023
$000
Restated
1 October
2022
$000
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Goodwill
12
589,989
578,572
546,167
Other intangible assets
12
244,274
269,729
275,332
Property, plant and equipment
13
827
874
550
Right of use assets
17
2,699
3,941
1,915
Trade and other receivables
14
1,427
138
100
Total non-current assets
839,216
853,254
824,064
Current assets
Trade and other receivables
14
17,423
19,965
16,725
Contract assets
5
1,499
1,856
927
Tax assets
124
1,754
Cash and cash equivalents
15
6,826
10,416
57,876
Total current assets
25,748
32,361
77,282
Total assets
864,964
885,615
901,346
LIABILITIES
Non-current liabilities
Loans and borrowings
18
(98,530)
(132,923)
(167,391)
Tax liabilities
(976)
(1,200)
Lease liabilities
17
(2,549)
(3,240)
(1,185)
Deferred tax liabilities
19
(34,673)
(49,629)
(72,175)
Total non-current liabilities
(135,752)
(186,768)
(241,951)
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
16
(11,491)
(30,343)
(19,097)
Contract liabilities
5
(1,639)
(1,851)
(1,886)
Loans and borrowings
18
(22,953)
(15,688)
(34,606)
Tax liabilities
(4,483)
(3,779)
(535)
Lease liabilities
17
(886)
(731)
(870)
Total current liabilities
(41,452)
(52,392)
(56,994)
Total liabilities
(177,204)
(239,160)
(298,945)
Net assets
687,760
646,455
602,401
 
Note
30 September
2024
$000
Restated
30 September
2023
$000
Restated
1 October
2022
$000
EQUITY
Share capital
20
17
17
17
Share premium
20
334,463
334,458
334,045
Other reserve
20
330,310
330,310
330,310
Capital redemption reserve
20
7
7
7
Share option reserve
20
31,418
32,683
46,313
Foreign currency translation reserve
20
(28,862)
(42,825)
(61,129)
Retained earnings/(losses)
20
20,407
(8,195)
(47,162)
Total equity
687,760
646,455
602,401
The Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended 30 September 2023 have been restated
throughout to be presented in US dollars and the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
has been restated to separately disclose contracts assets and contract liabilities, as detailed in
note 1.
The notes on pages 145 to 178 are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Consolidated Financial Statements were approved by the Board of Directors on
26 November 2024 and signed on its behalf by:
John-Paul Savant
Tom Hargreaves
Company registration number 13141124
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Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
143
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
for the year ended 30 September 2024
Note
Share capital
$000
Share
premium
$000
Other
reserve
$000
Capital
redemption
reserve
$000
Share option
reserve
$000
Foreign
currency
translation
reserve
$000
Retained
earnings/
(losses)
$000
Total
equity
$000
1 October 2022 (restated see note 1)
17
334,045
330,310
7
46,313
(61,129)
(47,162)
602,401
Profit for the year
20,543
20,543
Other comprehensive income/(loss)
18,304
(3,186)
15,118
Total comprehensive income for the year
18,304
17,357
35,661
Transactions with owners
Shares issued
20
413
413
Options exercised related to previous business combination
20
(19,297)
19,297
Share-based payments
20
5,667
2,313
7,980
30 September 2023 (restated see note 1)
17
334,458
330,310
7
32,683
(42,825)
(8,195)
646,455
Profit for the year
24,192
24,192
Other comprehensive income/(loss)
13,963
(3,255)
10,708
Total comprehensive income for the year
13,963
20,937
34,900
Transactions with owners
Shares issued
20
5
5
Share-based payments
20
(1,265)
7,665
6,400
30 September 2024
17
334,463
330,310
7
31,418
(28,862)
20,407
687,760
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
144
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
for the year ended 30 September 2024
Note
Year ended
30 September
2024
$000
Restated
Year ended
30 September
2023
$000
Cash flows from operating activities
Profit before tax
18,383
8,664
Adjustments for:
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
12
32,484
32,625
Amortisation of internally generated software
12
6,532
4,725
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
13
426
391
Depreciation of right of use assets
17
939
1,099
Loss on derecognition of right of use assets
17
99
Share-based payment expense
21
6,015
8,616
Finance income
8
(258)
(220)
Finance costs
8
14,303
19,183
Operating cash flows before movements in working capital
78,923
75,083
Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables
1,907
(3,078)
Decrease/(increase) in contract assets
433
(878)
Decrease in trade and other payables
(9,383)
(211)
Decrease in contract liabilities
(253)
(239)
Cash generated by operations
71,627
70,677
Income taxes paid
(13,396)
(10,120)
Net cash from operating activities
58,231
60,557
Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired
11
(30,004)
Additions to internally generated software
12
(10,843)
(10,765)
Payment for property, plant and equipment
13
(362)
(503)
Payment for right of use assets
17
(230)
Receipt of interest on lease receivable
17
9
Receipt of lease asset
17
132
Finance income received
249
220
Net cash used in investing activities
(10,815)
(41,282)
Cash flows from financing activities
Payment of deferred consideration
11
(10,000)
Repayment of loans and borrowings
18
(37,150)
(80,014)
Proceeds from loans and borrowings
18
9,500
26,300
Payment of interest on lease liabilities
17
(281)
(232)
Payment of lease liabilities
17
(749)
(964)
Shares issued
20
5
413
Interest paid
18
(12,459)
(13,097)
Net cash used in financing activities
(51,134)
(67,594)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
10,416
57,876
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(3,718)
(48,319)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes
128
859
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year
15
6,826
10,416
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
145
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
1. Accounting policies
General information
Auction Technology Group plc (the “Company”) is a company incorporated in the United Kingdom
under the Companies Act.
The Company is a public company limited by shares and is registered in England and Wales. The
registered office of the Company is The Harlequin Building, 65 Southwark Street, London, SE1 0HR,
United Kingdom.
The Group’s principal activities are the operation of several online auction marketplaces, through
which the Group generates income. The nature of the Company and its subsidiaries (the “Group”)
are set out in note 25 and in the Strategic Report on pages 2 to 77.
Restatements
The Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended 30 September 2023 have been
restated throughout to be presented in US dollars as set out below.
The Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss has been restated to separate net impairment
(loss)/gain on trade receivables from administrative expenses, where they were reported in
previous periods.
The Consolidated Statement of Financial Position has been restated to separately disclose
contracts assets (FY23: $1.8m, FY22: $0.9m) and contract liabilities (FY23: $1.8m, FY22: $1.9m),
as defined within the accounting policies on pages 149 and 150. All balances relating to contract
assets and contract liabilities had previously been included in trade and other receivables and
trade and other payables respectively. There is no impact to the Consolidated Statement of
Profit and Loss and Other Comprehensive Income or Loss, the Consolidated Statement of
Changes in Equity or the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows as a result of this restatement.
Change in presentation currency
On 17 May 2023, the Group announced that from the beginning of the current financial year,
1 October 2023, it would be changing the currency in which it presents its financial results from
pound sterling to US dollars. The Group’s US dollar denominated earnings account for over 80%
of the Group’s revenues and profits. This change reduces the impact of currency movements on
reported results. In accordance with IAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates
and Errors, this change in presentation currency was applied retrospectively.
In accordance with the provisions of IAS 21 The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates, the
historic consolidated financial information has been re-presented from pound sterling to US
dollars as follows:
items of income and expenditure, other than single material identifiable transactions,
denominated in non-US dollar currencies were translated into US dollars at the average
exchange rate (per month) of the reporting period. Single material identifiable transactions
have been translated at the exchange rate at the time of the transaction;
assets and liabilities denominated in non-US dollar currencies were translated into US dollars
at the exchange rates at the relevant balance sheet dates;
share capital, share premium and other equity items have been translated into US dollars at
historical exchange rates on the date of each relevant transaction;
all resulting exchange differences have been recognised in other comprehensive income and
in the foreign currency translation reserve in accordance with the Group’s existing accounting
policy; and
there is no impact to the Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss as a result of the restatement.
The principal rates used for the translation of results, cash flows and balance sheets in US Dollars were:
Average rate
Closing rate
FY24
FY23
FY24
FY23
FY22
Pound sterling
1.27
1.23
1.34
1.22
1.12
Euro
1.08
1.07
1.12
1.06
0.98
Basis of preparation
The Consolidated Financial Statements consolidate those of the Company and its subsidiaries
(together referred to as the “Group”). The parent Company accounts present information about
the entity and not about its Group.
The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared and approved by the Directors in
accordance with UK-adopted International Accounting Standards (“UK-adopted IAS”) and with the
requirements of the Companies Act 2006. The Company has elected to prepare its parent Company
Financial Statements in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 101 Reduced Disclosure
Framework (“FRS 101”) and the Companies Act 2006; these are presented on pages 179 to 183.
The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention,
except for certain financial instruments which have been measured at fair value. All accounting
policies set out below have been applied consistently to all periods presented in these
Consolidated Financial Statements.
New and amended accounting standards adopted by the Group
The following amendments became applicable during the current reporting period:
IFRS 17: Insurance Contracts
Amendments to IAS 8: Definition of Accounting Estimates
Amendments to IAS 1 and IFRS Practice Statement 2: Disclosure of Accounting Policies
Amendments to IAS 12: Deferred Tax related to Assets and Liabilities arising from a Single
Transaction
Amendment to IAS 12: International Tax Reform – Pillar Two Model Rules
The adoption of the standards and interpretations has not led to any changes to the Group’s
accounting policies or had any other material impact on the financial position or performance of the
Group. The Group is not in scope for Pillar Two rules, as it does not meet the threshold of annual
revenue of €750m and therefore the amendment to IAS 12 in relation to Pillar Two has no impact.
1. Accounting policies
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Strategic Report
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Financial Statements
Further Information
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
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New and amended accounting standards that have been issued but are not yet effective
New standards and interpretations that are in issue but not yet effective are listed below:
Amendment to IFRS 16: Lease Liability in a Sale and Leaseback
Amendments to IAS 1: Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current
Amendments to IAS 1: Non-current Liabilities with Covenants
Amendments to IAS 7 and IFRS 7: Supplier Finance Arrangements
Amendments to IAS 21: Lack of Exchangeability
Amendments to IFRS 9 and IFRS 7: Classification and Measurement of Financial Instruments
IFRS 18: Presentation and Disclosure in Financial Statements
With the exception of the adoption of IFRS 18, the adoption of the above standards and
interpretations are not expected to lead to any material changes to the Group’s accounting policies
nor have any other material impact on the financial position or performance of the Group. IFRS 18
was issued in April 2024 and is effective for periods beginning on or after 1 January 2027. Early
application is permitted and comparatives will require restatement. The standard will replace IAS 1
Presentation of Financial Statements and although it will not change how items are recognised and
measured, the standard brings a focus on the income statement and reporting of financial
performance. Specifically classifying income and expenses into three new defined categories –
“operating”, “investing” and “financing” and two new subtotals “operating profit and loss” and
“profit or loss before financing and income tax”, introducing disclosures of management defined
performance measures and enhancing general requirements on aggregation and disaggregation.
The impact of the standard on the Group is being assessed and it is not yet practicable to quantify
the effect of IFRS 18 on these Consolidated Financial Statements, however there is no impact on
presentation for the Group in the current year given the effective date – this will be applicable for
the Group’s FY28 reporting period.
Going concern
The Directors are required to assess going concern at each reporting period. The Directors have
undertaken the going concern assessment for the Group for the period to 31 December 2025.
The Directors have assessed the Group’s prospects, both as a going concern and its longer-term
viability as set out on pages 41 and 42. After considering the current financial projections, the bank
facilities available and then applying severe but plausible sensitivities, the Directors of the
Company are satisfied that the Group has sufficient resources for its operational needs and will
remain in compliance with the financial covenants in its bank facilities until at least 31 December
2025. For this reason, the Directors continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing
the Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended 30 September 2024. The process
and key judgements in coming to this conclusion are set out below:
Liquidity
The Group entered into the Senior Facilities Agreement on 17 June 2021 which included the Senior
Term Facility for $204.0m for the acquisition of LiveAuctioneers. The Senior Term Facility was
drawn down in full on 30 September 2021 prior to completion of the acquisition of LiveAuctioneers
on 1 October 2021. The loan is due to be fully repaid by 17 June 2026. In the absence of any other
prepayments, the next scheduled repayment would be $6.1m on 31 March 2025. At 30 September
2024 the loan balance outstanding was $122.6m and was subject to interest at a margin of 2.75%
over US SOFR.
In addition, the Group has a multi-currency revolving credit working capital facility (the “RCF”)
for $49.0m. Any sums outstanding under the RCF will be due for repayment on 17 June 2026. On
13 February 2024, $9.5m was drawn down to partly fund the payment of deferred consideration
and retention bonuses relating to the acquisition of ESN (see note 11), and has been repaid in full.
The Directors are in the early stages of renegotiations on the financing arrangements for the
Group in advance of the current facilities expiring in June 2026. The Directors assume that the
Group will continue to have funding throughout the going concern period and the three-year
viability period (as discussed on page 41) on the basis that the Group will either renew the facility
or have sufficient time to agree an alternative source of finance on comparable terms. As at
30 September 2024 the Group has adjusted net debt of $114.7m and is in a net current liability
position which includes the current Senior Term Facility of $23.0m.
Covenants
The Group is subject to covenant tests on the Senior Term Facility, with the most sensitive
covenant being the net leverage ratio covenant (adjusted net debt: trailing 12-month adjusted
EBITDA). The net leverage ratio covenant was 2.75x at 30 September 2024. Under the base case
forecasts and each of the downside scenarios, including the combined downside scenario,
the Group is forecast to be in compliance with the covenants and have cash headroom, without
applying mitigating actions which could be implemented such as reducing capital expenditure
spend. At 30 September 2024, the net leverage ratio was 1.4x compared to the limit of 2.75x and
therefore the Group was comfortably within the covenant.
Scenario planning
The Directors have undertaken the going concern assessment for the Group, taking into
consideration the Group’s business model, strategy, and principal and emerging risks. As part
of the going concern review the Directors have reviewed the Group’s forecasts and projections,
and assessed the headroom on the Group’s facilities and the banking covenants. This has been
considered under a base case and several plausible but severe downside scenarios, taking into
consideration the Group’s principal risks and uncertainties. These scenarios include:
significant reduction in marketplace revenue due to an 8% reduction in THV versus the base
case
significant reduction in marketplace revenue due to conversion rate decline of 6% versus the
base case; and,
50% lower revenue growth from value-added services across the Group versus the base case.
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Financial Statements
Further Information
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
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None of these scenarios individually, or in the combined scenario, which reduces adjusted EBITDA
by $21m, threaten the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern. Even in the combined
downside scenario modelled (the combination of all downside scenarios occurring at once)
the Group would be able to operate within the level of its current available debt facilities and
covenants. Accordingly, the Directors continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing
the Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended 30 September 2024.
Climate change
The Group has assessed the impacts of climate change on the Group’s Consolidated Financial
Statements, including our commitment to achieving Net Zero by 2040 and the actions the Group
intends to take to achieve those targets. The assessment did not identify any material impact on
the Group’s significant judgements or estimates at 30 September 2024, or the assessment of
going concern and the Group’s viability over the next three years. Specifically, we have considered
the following areas:
the physical and transition risks associated with climate change; and
the actions the Group is taking to meet its carbon reduction and Net Zero targets.
As a result, the Group has assessed the potential impacts of climate change on the Consolidated
Financial Statements, and in particular on the following areas:
the impact on the Group’s future cash flows, and the resulting impact such adjustments to the
future cash flows would have on the outcome of the annual impairment testing of goodwill
balances (see note 12), the recognition of deferred tax assets and our assessment of going concern;
the carrying value of the Group’s assets, in particular the recoverable amounts of intangible
assets and property, plant and equipment; and
changes to estimates of the useful economic lives of intangible assets and property, plant and
equipment.
Basis of consolidation
The Consolidated Financial Statements consist of the financial statements of the ultimate parent
Company and all entities controlled by the Company. Control is achieved where the Company has
the power to govern the financial and operating policies of an investee entity, has the rights to
variable returns from its involvement with the investee and has the ability to use its power to affect
its returns. The results of subsidiaries acquired or sold are included in the Consolidated Financial
Statements from the date on which control commences until the date on which control ceases.
All intra-group transactions, balances, income and expenses are eliminated on consolidation.
Employee Benefit Trust
The assets and liabilities of the Employee Benefit Trust have been included in the Consolidated
Financial Statements. Any assets held by the Employee Benefit Trust cease to be recognised on
the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position when the assets vest unconditionally in
identified beneficiaries.
The costs of purchasing own shares held by the Employee Benefit Trust are shown as a deduction
against equity. The proceeds from the sale of own shares held increase equity. Neither the
purchase nor sale of own shares leads to a gain or loss being recognised in the Consolidated
Statement of Comprehensive Income.
Business combinations
The Group uses the acquisition method of accounting to account for business combinations. The
consideration transferred by the Group to obtain control of a subsidiary is calculated as the sum
of the acquisition date of assets transferred, liabilities incurred, and the equity interests issued by
the Group, which includes the fair value of any asset or liability arising from a contingent
consideration arrangement. Acquisition costs are recognised in profit or loss as incurred.
At the acquisition date, the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed are recognised
at their fair value at the acquisition date, except that liabilities or equity instruments related to
share-based payment arrangements of the acquiree or share-based payment arrangements of
the Group entered into to replace share-based payment arrangements of the acquiree are
measured in accordance with IFRS 2 at the acquisition date.
Goodwill is stated after separate recognition of other identifiable intangible assets.
When the consideration transferred by the Group in a business combination includes a contingent
consideration arrangement, the contingent consideration is measured at its acquisition-date fair
value and included as part of the consideration transferred in a business combination. Changes
in fair value of the contingent consideration that qualify as measurement period adjustments are
adjusted retrospectively, with corresponding adjustments against goodwill. Measurement period
adjustments are adjustments that arise from additional information obtained during the
measurement period (which cannot exceed one year from the acquisition date) about facts
and circumstances that existed at the acquisition date.
The subsequent accounting for changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration that do
not qualify as measurement period adjustments depends on how the contingent consideration is
classified. Contingent consideration that is classified as equity is not remeasured at subsequent
reporting dates and its subsequent settlement is accounted for within equity. Other contingent
consideration is remeasured to fair value at subsequent reporting dates with changes in fair value
recognised in profit or loss.
If the accounting for business combinations involves provisional amounts, which are finalised in a
subsequent reporting period during the 12-month measurement period as permitted under IFRS 3,
restatement of these provisional amounts may be required in the subsequent reporting period.
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Further Information
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
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Foreign currency
Functional currency
The functional currency of Auction Technology Group plc and its subsidiaries, other than the
US holding companies, is measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in
which the entity operates. The US holding companies in FY24 which had a functional currency of
pound sterling include ATG US Holdings Limited and ATG US Holdings Inc.
Transactions and balances
Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are translated into the functional currency
at the exchange rates prevailing on the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities
denominated in foreign currencies are translated into US dollars at the rates of exchange at the
reporting date. Gains and losses arising on foreign currency borrowings, to the extent that they are
used to provide a hedge against the Group’s equity investments in overseas undertakings, are
taken to the Statement of Other Comprehensive income together with the exchange difference
arising on the net investment in those undertakings. All other exchange differences on monetary
items are taken to profit and loss.
Group companies
On consolidation, the assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into US dollars
at the rate of exchange prevailing at the reporting date and their statements of profit or loss are
translated at the average exchange rates for the year. Exchange differences arising, if any, are
recognised in the Statement of Other Comprehensive Income and accumulated in a foreign
currency translation reserve. On disposal of a foreign operation, the component of other
comprehensive income relating to that foreign operation is recognised in the Statement
of Profit or Loss.
Goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on the acquisition of a foreign entity are treated as
assets and liabilities of the foreign entity and translated at the acquisition closing rate. This is
then revalued at the year-end rate with any foreign exchange difference taken directly to the
translation reserve.
Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment
losses. Cost includes the original purchase price of the asset and the costs attributable to bringing
the asset to its working condition for its intended use. Depreciation is charged to the Consolidated
Statement of Profit or Loss over the estimated useful lives of each part of an item of property,
plant and equipment. The Directors reassess the useful economic lives and estimated residual
values on an annual basis. The estimated useful lives are as follows:
Leasehold improvements
3 to 7 years straight line
Computer equipment
3 to 5 years straight line
Fixtures and fittings
3 to 5 years straight line
The gain or loss arising on the disposal or retirement of an asset is determined as the difference
between the net sale proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset and is recognised in the
Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss.
Intangible assets
Identifiable intangibles are those which can be sold separately, or which arise from legal rights
regardless of whether those rights are separable.
Goodwill
Goodwill is stated at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill is not amortised but
is reviewed for impairment at least annually.
For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to each of the Group’s cash-generating
units (“CGUs”) expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination. CGUs to which goodwill
has been allocated are tested for impairment annually, or more frequently when there is an
indication that the unit may be impaired. If the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit
is less than the carrying amount of the unit, the impairment loss is allocated first to reduce the
carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the unit and then to the other assets of the unit
pro-rata on the basis of the carrying amount of each asset in the unit. An impairment loss
recognised for goodwill is not reversed in a subsequent period.
Internally generated soſtware
Included within internally generated software are development costs in relation to software which
are capitalised when the related projects meet the recognition criteria of an internally generated
intangible asset, the key criteria being as follows:
technical feasibility of the completed intangible asset has been established;
it can be demonstrated that the asset will generate probable future economic benefits;
adequate technical, financial and other resources are available to complete the development;
the expenditure attributable to the intangible asset can be reliably measured; and
management has the ability and intention to use or sell the asset.
These projects are designed to develop new features for the Group’s marketplaces. Salaries
associated with development time and directly attributable overheads are capitalised within
intangible assets.
The Group only capitalises internally generated costs from the configuration and capitalisation
of SaaS projects when it is able to obtain economic benefits from the activities independent from
the SaaS solution itself.
Expenditure on research activities is recognised as an expense in the period in which it is incurred.
Development costs recognised as assets are amortised on a straight-line basis over their
expected useful life. Development expenditure is amortised from the point at which the asset is
available for use. Assets are amortised over the period the Group is expected to benefit and are
subject to annual impairment testing.
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Further Information
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Acquired intangible assets
Acquired intangible assets include software, customer relationships, brand and non-compete
agreements. Intangible assets acquired in a business combination and recognised separately from
goodwill are recognised initially at their fair value at the acquisition date. Subsequent to initial
recognition, intangible assets acquired in a business combination are reported at cost less
accumulated amortisation and impairment losses.
Amortisation
Amortisation relating to capitalised software development costs is recognised through cost
of sales whilst amortisation in respect of non-software intangibles is recognised through
administrative expenses. Amortisation is charged to the Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss
on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of intangible assets unless such lives are
indefinite. The estimated useful lives are as follows:
Internally generated software
3 years
Software
3 to 10 years
Customer relationships
2 to 14 years
Brand
5 to 15 years
Non-compete agreement
4 years
The estimated useful life and amortisation method are reviewed at the end of each reporting
period, with the effect of any changes in estimate being accounted for on a prospective basis.
Impairment of non-financial assets (excluding goodwill)
At each reporting date, the Group reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets to
determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any
such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated to determine the extent of
the impairment loss (if any). Where the asset does not generate cash flows that are independent from
other assets, the Group estimates the recoverable amount of the CGU to which the asset belongs.
The recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing
value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax
discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks
specific to the asset for which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted.
If the recoverable amount of an asset (or CGU) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount,
the carrying amount of the asset (or CGU) is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment
loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss.
Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (or CGU) is
increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying
amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no
impairment loss been recognised for the asset (or CGU) in prior years. A reversal of an impairment
loss is recognised immediately in the Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss to the extent that it
eliminates the impairment loss which has been recognised for the asset in prior years.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash at banks, cash in transit due from credit card providers
and cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term highly liquid investments with
original maturities of three months or less and restricted cash.
Restricted cash includes cash held by the Group which can only be used to exchange or settle a
specific liability in the future and cash held by the Trustee of the Group’s Employee Benefit Trust.
Financial instruments
Recognition, initial measurement and derecognition
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised when the Group becomes a party to the
contractual provisions of the financial instrument and are measured initially at fair value adjusted
by transaction costs, except for those carried at fair value through profit or loss which are
measured initially at fair value. Subsequent measurement of financial assets and financial
liabilities is described below.
Financial assets are derecognised when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial
asset expire, or when the financial asset and all substantial risks and rewards are transferred. A
financial liability is derecognised when it is extinguished, discharged, cancelled or expires.
Classification and subsequent measurement of financial assets
For the purpose of subsequent measurement, the Group classifies its financial assets into the
following categories: financial assets at amortised cost, financial assets at fair value through profit
or loss (“FVTPL”) and financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income.
Financial assets at amortised cost
Financial assets at amortised cost are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable
payments that are not quoted in an active market. After initial recognition, these are measured at
amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. Discounting is
omitted where the effect of discounting is immaterial. The Group’s cash and cash equivalents,
contract assets, trade and most other receivables fall into this category of financial instruments.
The Group recognises a loss allowance for expected credit losses (“ECL”) on financial assets
that are measured at amortised cost. The amount of expected credit losses is updated at
each reporting date to reflect changes in credit risk since initial recognition of the respective
financial instrument.
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The Group recognises lifetime ECL on trade receivables. The ECL on these financial assets are
estimated using a provision matrix based on the Group’s historical credit loss experience, adjusted
for factors that are specific to the receivables, general economic conditions and an assessment of
both the current as well as the forecast direction of conditions at the reporting date, including
time value of money where appropriate.
All income and expenses relating to financial assets that are recognised in the Consolidated
Statement of Profit or Loss are presented within finance costs or finance income, except for
impairment of trade receivables which is presented within other administrative expenses.
Classification and subsequent measurement of financial liabilities
The Group’s financial liabilities include borrowings, contract liabilities and trade and
other payables.
Financial liabilities are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, except for
financial liabilities held for trading or designated at FVTPL, that are carried at fair value with gains
or losses recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss.
All interest-related charges and, if applicable, changes in an instrument’s fair value that are
reported in the Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss are included within finance costs or
finance income.
Hedge accounting
The Group designates foreign currency loans as hedging instruments in respect of foreign currency
risk and hedges of net investments in foreign operations. Hedges of foreign exchange risk on firm
commitments are accounted for as cash flow hedges.
At the inception of the hedge relationship, the Group documents the relationship between the
hedging instrument and the hedged item, along with its risk management objectives and its
strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. Furthermore, at the inception of the hedge
and on an ongoing basis, the Group documents whether the hedging instrument is effective in
offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk,
which is when the hedging relationships meet all of the following hedge effectiveness
requirements:
there is an economic relationship between the hedged item and the hedging instrument;
the effect of credit risk does not dominate the value changes that result from that economic
relationship; and
the hedge ratio of the hedging relationship is the same as that resulting from the quantity of the
hedged item that the Group hedges and the quantity of the hedging instrument that the Group
uses to hedge that quantity of hedged item.
If a hedging relationship ceases to meet the hedge effectiveness requirement relating to the
hedge ratio but the risk management objective for that designated hedging relationship remains
the same, the Group adjusts the hedge ratio of the hedging relationship (i.e. rebalances the hedge)
so that it meets the qualifying criteria again. Hedge accounting is discontinued when the hedging
instrument expires or is sold, terminated or exercised, or no longer qualifies for hedge accounting.
Gains and losses accumulated in the foreign currency translation reserve are included in the
Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss on disposal of the foreign operation.
Revenue recognition
The Group recognises revenue when it has transferred the promised services to customers in
an amount that reflects the consideration to which they expect to be entitled in exchange for
those services.
Marketplace revenues
Marketplace revenues include commissions (based on a percentage of the price of items sold at
auction), auction fees (both pay-as-you-go and subscription based), value-added services, digital
marketing and advertising and auction-related services.
Commission fees
The Group recognises commission fees as an agent on the basis that there is no contractual
relationship with the bidder, the end-consumer of goods sold at auction, and the Group will
receive its commission from the auction house irrespective of whether the end-consumer makes
its payment to the auction house.
The commission element of both subscription and pay-as-you-go contracts (see below) is based
on the value of the items sold at auction. The commission element of auction revenue is not
recognised until the auction has completed and the revenue value is known.
Auction fixed fees
Contracts will typically specify an event (pay-as-you-go) or period of time during which the auction
house may host a number of events (subscription) as well as other auction-related services.
Auction fixed fees sold under subscription-based contracts, in which the performance obligation
is the provision of access to the technology platform and any auction-related services specified
in the contract for that period of time, are recognised straight-line over the term of the contract.
This recognition reflects the fact that the contract allows for continuous usage of the technology
platform and its functionality together with any auction-related services.
Auction fixed fees sold under pay-as-you-go contracts result in a performance obligation that
is satisfied by providing access for the duration of that specific auction. As auctions typically
complete within one to three days, the Group recognises revenue on completion of the auction.
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Value-added services
Value-added services include atgPay and atgShip. These services have a distinct performance
obligation based on the capability of being separately identified as an optional service on the
Group’s marketplaces and providing the end-customer a service that can be used on its own.
There is judgement involved in determining whether these services should be recognised based
on an agent or principal basis.
For atgPay, the Group has primary responsibility for fulfilling the services to the customer and has
sole discretion in establishing the prices charged to the auction house for the services provided.
On this basis the revenue is recognised on a principal basis, and it is recognised at the point in
time when control of the promised service is transferred to the customer, i.e. the payment from
the bidder has been processed for the auction house.
For atgShip, the Group has applied judgement to conclude it is has the primary responsibility
in fulfilling the shipping services to the bidder. Given the complexity involved in shipping Arts &
Antiques across North America, the logistics required to operate our atgShip service requires
significant involvement of the Group including the sole responsibility for selecting an appropriate
shipping agent that must be used for each delivery based on the nature of the item sold at auction
(e.g. its size, shape and fragility) and the location which it is being shipped to across North
America. Further, the Group takes responsibility for delivery of the shipped items by the shipping
agent. The Group also have the primary responsibility for receiving and resolving customer service
enquiries, including directly keeping the bidder informed of the status of their delivery and
handling complaints for lost or damaged items. The Group also have sole discretion in establishing
the prices charged for the atgShip service. Our network of shipping carriers arrange insurance for
the shipped item hence, retain the inventory risk of the products in transit. Having assessed the
overall substance of the arrangements within this revenue stream, it has been concluded that the
Group is acting as the principal in the shipping arrangements. For practical reasons, the revenue is
recognised on the auction sale date rather than on delivery of the item to the bidder. The impact
of this timing difference for recognition is assessed at each reporting period and is immaterial to
the Group’s revenue and profits.
The revenue for both services is recognised as the full fees. The expenses for the fees paid to the
other parties involved in the atgPay and atgShip process are recognised separately within cost of sales.
Digital marketing and advertising
Marketing revenues are principally derived from banner advertising and fees generated from
email campaigns. Revenue is recognised in line with the satisfaction of the campaign objectives
(i.e. at the point that the campaign emails are sent or over the period that the banner is provided
on the website).
Auction-related services
Auction-related services include mirrored bidding, customer support, buy-it-now functionality,
online cataloguing and the provision of personnel to operate the auction. These contracts are
deemed to represent a single performance obligation, on the basis that the customer could not
benefit from the auction-related services without also having access to the auction platform,
and therefore are not distinct performance obligations.
Auction services revenues
For back-office and software technology products, auction revenues sold under
subscription-based contracts, in which the performance obligation is the provision of access to
the technology platform and any auction-related services specified in the contract for that period
of time, are recognised straight-line over the term of the contract. This recognition reflects the
fact that the contract allows for continuous usage of the technology platform and its functionality
together with any auction-related services.
Auction revenues sold under pay-as-you-go contracts result in a performance obligation that
is satisfied by providing access for the duration of that specific auction. As auctions typically
complete within one to three days, the Group recognises revenue on completion of the auction.
Content-related services
Content-related services primarily include print and digital advertising revenues and subscriptions
to the Antiques Trade Gazette.
The Group identified one performance obligation for print advertising services which is to include
the advert in a particular edition of the Antiques Trade Gazette. The performance obligation is
satisfied and revenue is recognised at the point that the magazine is published. Where the advert
is featured in a number of editions, the performance obligation is satisfied over the period that the
advertisement is featured. Revenue is recognised evenly over the period that the advertisement is
featured.
For magazine subscriptions, customers receive a specified number of editions during the
subscription period. Revenue is recognised evenly over the subscription period.
Contract balances
Timing of revenue recognition may differ from the timing of invoicing to customers. Contract
assets represent revenue recognised prior to invoicing when it has satisfied its performance
obligation and has the unconditional right to payment.
Contract liabilities consist of fees received related to unsatisfied performance obligations at the
end of the period.
Taxation
Tax on the profit or loss for the year comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in the
Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss except to the extent that it relates to items recognised
directly in equity, in which case it is recognised in equity.
Current tax is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the year, using tax rates and
laws enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date, and any adjustment to tax payable
in respect of previous years.
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Deferred tax is provided on temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets
and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes. The
following temporary differences are not provided for: the taxable temporary difference arising from
initial recognition of goodwill; the initial recognition of assets or liabilities that affect neither
accounting nor taxable profit other than in a business combination; and differences relating to
investments in subsidiaries to the extent that they will probably not reverse in the foreseeable future.
The amount of deferred tax provided is based on the expected manner of realisation or
settlement of the carrying amount of assets and liabilities, using tax rates and laws enacted or
substantively enacted at the reporting date. A deferred tax asset is recognised only to the extent
that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the asset can be
utilised. The carrying amounts of deferred tax assets are reviewed at each reporting date.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to set off
current tax assets against current tax liabilities and when they relate to income taxes levied by
the same taxation authority and the Group intends to settle its current tax assets and liabilities
on a net basis.
Deferred tax is provided in respect of the undistributed earnings of subsidiaries other than where
it is intended that those undistributed earnings will not be remitted in the foreseeable future.
Employee benefits
Short-term benefits
Short-term employee benefit obligations are measured on an undiscounted basis and are expensed
as the related service is provided. A provision is recognised for the amount expected to be paid under
short-term cash bonus if the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation to pay this amount
as a result of past service provided by the employee and the obligation can be estimated reliably.
Defined contribution plans
Obligations for contributions to defined contribution pension plans are recognised as an expense
in the Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss as incurred.
Share-based payments
The Group measures the cost of services received in exchange for share options based on the
grant-date fair value of the award and recognises the cost over the period of required service for
the award. The Group accounts for awards of shares to employees as share-based compensation
as they vest with a corresponding credit to reserve for share-based payments. The fair value of
share options is calculated as the share price at grant date, where the options are nil cost and
have no market performance conditions. Where share options have an exercise price or market
performance condition, an option pricing model is used to determine the fair value.
The number of options expected to vest is reviewed and adjusted at the end of each reporting
period such that the amount recognised for services received as consideration for the equity
instruments granted shall be based on the number of equity instruments that eventually vest.
Upon the exercise of share options, any proceeds received from share option holders are recorded
as an increase to share capital.
Leases
As a lessee
The Group’s leases predominantly relate to property, mainly offices, however the Group’s lease
portfolio also includes other assets such as motor vehicles and computer equipment.
The Group recognises all leases on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, apart from
in cases where the lease is for a period of less than 12 months or is for an asset with a low value.
Low-value and short-term leases continue to be charged to the Consolidated Statement of Profit
or Loss on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease.
Lease liabilities are recognised at the present value of future lease payments, determined using
the implicit interest rate in the lease where available, or using an incremental borrowing rate
appropriate to the subsidiary and lease term where an implicit interest rate is not available or
appropriate. A corresponding right of use asset is recognised, equivalent to the value of the lease
liability, which is depreciated in a straight line over the shorter of the useful economic life of the
asset and the lease term. The depreciation is recognised as an administrative expense within
overheads. The unwinding of the discount on the present value of the lease liability is recognised
as a finance charge over the lease term. Rent payments are used to reduce the lease liability and
are disclosed as debt repayments in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Lease terms
include any options to extend when it is reasonably certain that the extension will be taken.
Lease liabilities are remeasured when there is a change in future lease payments arising from a
change in an index or rate, a change in the estimate of the amount expected to be payable under
a residual value guarantee, or as appropriate, changes in the assessment of whether a purchase
or extension option is reasonably certain to be exercised or a termination option is reasonably
certain not to be exercised.
As a lessor
Leases for which the Group is a lessor are classified as finance leases. A lease is classified as a
finance lease if it transfers substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessee, and
classified as an operating lease if it does not. Amounts due from lessees under finance leases are
recognised as receivables at the amount of the Group’s net investment in the leases. Finance
lease income is allocated to accounting periods so as to reflect a constant periodic rate of return
on the Group’s net investment in the lease.
Alternative performance measures
Management exercises judgement in determining the adjustments to apply to UK-adopted IAS
measurements in order to derive suitable alternative performance measures (“APMs”). As set
out and reconciled in note 3, APMs are used as management believes these measures provide
additional useful information on the underlying trends, performance and position of the Group.
These measures are used for performance analysis. The APMs are not defined by UK-adopted IAS
and therefore may not be directly comparable with other companies’ APMs. These measures are
not intended to be a substitute for, or superior to, their equivalent UK-adopted IAS.
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued
153
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
2. Significant judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
The preparation of the Group’s Consolidated Financial Statements requires the use of certain
judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities,
income and expenses. Estimates and judgements are evaluated continually, and are based on
historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed
to be reasonable under the circumstances.
Key estimation uncertainties are the key assumptions concerning the future and other key sources
of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that may have a significant risk of causing a
material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next period.
Changes in accounting estimates may be necessary if there are changes in the circumstances on
which the estimates were based, or as a result of new information or more experience. For the
year ended 30 September 2024, the key sources of estimation are detailed below:
Impairment of goodwill for Auction Services cash-generating unit
At least on an annual basis, or if there is an impairment indicator, management performs a review
of the carrying values of goodwill and intangible assets. This requires an estimate of the value in
use of the cash-generating unit (“CGU”) to which the goodwill and intangible assets are allocated.
To estimate the value in use, management estimates the expected future cash flows from the
CGU and discounts them to their present value at a determined discount rate, which is appropriate
for the country where the goodwill and intangible assets are allocated.
Forecasting expected cash flows and selecting an appropriate discount rate inherently require
estimation. The resulting calculation for Auction Services is sensitive to any one of the key
assumptions in respect of future cash flows, the discount rate and long-term growth rate applied.
Sensitivity analysis has been performed over the estimates (see note 12). Management considers
that the assumptions made represent their best estimate of the future cash flows generated by
the CGUs, and that the discount rate and long-term growth rate used are appropriate given the
risks associated with the specific cash flows.
Significant judgements are those that the Group has made in the process of applying the
Group’s accounting policies and that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognised
in the financial statements. For the year ended 30 September 2024, there were no significant
judgements. The significant judgements disclosed in the annual financial statements for the year
ended 30 September 2023 which are no longer applicable are:
Goodwill and other intangible assets arising from business combinations as no business
combinations have occurred in FY24, and no changes have been made in FY24 to the
judgements in respect of goodwill and other intangible assets previously recognised.
Functional currency of subsidiaries as there have been no changes to the functional currency of
the US holding entities during the year. The impact of the US holding entities having a functional
currency of pound sterling does impact the deferred tax as a result of movements in exchange
rates but the level of judgement is not expected to significantly change the amounts recognised
in the Consolidated Financial Statements.
3. Alternative performance measures
The Group uses a number of alternative performance measures (“APMs”) in addition to those
measures reported in accordance with UK-adopted IAS. Such APMs are not defined terms under
UK-adopted IAS and are not intended to be a substitute for any UK-adopted IAS measure. The
Directors believe that the APMs are important when assessing the ongoing financial and operating
performance of the Group and do not consider them to be more important than, or superior to,
their equivalent UK-adopted IAS. The APMs improve the comparability of information between
reporting periods by adjusting for factors such as one-off items and the timing of acquisitions.
The APMs are used internally in the management of the Group’s business performance, budgeting
and forecasting, and for determining Executive Directors’ remuneration and that of other
management throughout the business. The APMs are also presented externally to meet investors’
requirements for further clarity and transparency of the Group’s financial performance. Where
items of income or expense are being excluded in an APM, these are included elsewhere in our
reported financial information as they represent actual income or costs of the Group.
Other commentary within the Annual Report and Accounts (CFO’s Review pages 30 to 34), should
be referred to in order to fully appreciate all the factors that affect the Group.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA is the measure used by the Directors to assess the trading performance of the
Group’s businesses and is the measure of segment profit.
Adjusted EBITDA represents profit/(loss) before taxation, finance costs, depreciation and
amortisation, share-based payment expense and exceptional operating items. Adjusted EBITDA
at segment level is consistently defined but excludes central administration costs including
Directors’ salaries.
The following table provides a reconciliation from profit before tax to adjusted EBITDA:
 
Restated
Year ended
Year ended
30 September
30 September
2024
2023
$000
$000
Profit before tax
18,383
8,664
Adjustments for:
Net finance costs (note 8)
14,045
18,963
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets (note 12)
32,484
32,625
Amortisation of internally generated software (note 12)
6,532
4,725
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment (note 13)
426
391
Depreciation of right of use assets (note 17)
939
1,099
Share-based payment expense (note 21)
6,015
8,616
Exceptional operating items
1,145
3,311
Adjusted EBITDA
79,969
78,394
3. Alternative performance measures
continued
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued
154
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
The following table provides the calculation of adjusted EBITDA margin which represents adjusted
EBITDA divided by revenue:
 
Restated
Year ended
Year ended
30 September
30 September
2024
2023
$000
$000
Reported revenue (note 4, 5)
174,148
165,886
Adjusted EBITDA
79,969
78,394
Adjusted EBITDA margin
46%
47%
The basis for treating these items as adjusting is as follows:
Share-based payment expense
The Group has issued share awards to employees and Directors: at the time of IPO; for the
acquisition of LiveAuctioneers; and operates several employee share schemes. The share-based
payment expense is a significant non-cash charge driven by a valuation model which references
the Group’s share price. As the Group is still early in its lifecycle as a newly listed business the
expense is distortive in the short term and is not representative of the cash performance of the
business. In addition, as the share-based payment expense includes significant charges related
to the IPO and LiveAuctioneers acquisition, it is not representative of the Group’s steady state
operational performance.
Exceptional operating items
The Group applies judgement in identifying significant items of income and expenditure that are
disclosed separately from other administrative expenses as exceptional where, in the judgement of
the Directors, they need to be disclosed separately by virtue of their nature or size in order to obtain
a clear and consistent presentation of the Group’s ongoing business performance. Such items could
include, but may not be limited to, costs associated with business combinations, gains and losses
on the disposal of businesses, significant reorganisation or restructuring costs and impairment of
goodwill and acquired intangible assets. Any item classified as an exceptional item will be significant
and not attributable to ongoing operations and will be subject to specific quantitative and qualitative
thresholds set by and approved by the Directors prior to being classified as exceptional.
The exceptional operating items are detailed below:
 
Restated
Year ended
Year ended
30 September
30 September
2024
2023
$000
$000
Acquisition costs
(828)
(3,311)
Finance transformation
(317)
Total exceptional operating items
(1,145)
(3,311)
The acquisition costs were primarily in respect of the costs relating to the acquisition of ESN on
6 February 2023 (see note 11). The business has undertaken focused acquisitive activity which has
been strategically implemented to increase income, service range and critical mass of the Group.
Acquisition costs comprise legal, professional, other consultancy expenditure incurred and
retention bonuses for ESN employees payable one year after completion. The retention bonus is
subject to service conditions and was accrued over the period.
Costs of $0.3m were incurred as a result of the transformation of the North America finance
department. These exceptional operating items include the sublease of the Omaha office (see
note 17) which is no longer being occupied by the finance team, the merger of trading entities and
costs associated with the system finance transformation which were not capitalised. These costs
include professional fees, retention costs and loss on derecognition of a right of use asset.
The net cash outflow related to exceptional operating items in the period was $2.5m (FY23: $2.0m).
Adjusted earnings and adjusted diluted earnings per share
Adjusted earnings excludes share-based payment expense, exceptional items (operating and
finance), amortisation of acquired intangible assets, and any related tax effects.
The following table provides a reconciliation from profit after tax to adjusted earnings:
 
Restated
Year ended
Year ended
30 September
30 September
2024
2023
$000
$000
Profit aributable to equity shareholders of the Company
24,192
20,543
Adjustments for:
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
32,484
32,625
Exceptional finance items
906
5,258
Share-based payment expense
6,015
8,616
Exceptional operating items
1,145
3,311
Deferred tax on unrealised foreign exchange differences
(8,054)
(8,810)
Tax on adjusted items
(8,929)
(12,607)
Adjusted earnings
47,759
48,936
 
Number
Number
Diluted weighted average number of shares (note 10)
123,848,562
123,088,377
cents
cents
Adjusted diluted earnings per share (cents)
38.6
39.8
3. Alternative performance measures
continued
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued
155
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
The basis for treating these items not already defined above as adjusting is as follows:
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets through business combinations
The amortisation of acquired intangibles arises from the purchase consideration of a number of
separate acquisitions. These acquisitions are portfolio investment decisions that took place at
different times and are items in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position that relate to
M&A activity rather than the trading performance of the business.
Exceptional finance items
Exceptional finance items include foreign exchange differences arising on the revaluation of the
foreign currency loans, intra-group balances and restricted cash, movements in contingent
consideration and costs incurred on the early repayment of loan costs. These exceptional finance
items are excluded from adjusted earnings to provide readers with helpful additional information
on the performance of the business across periods because it is consistent with how the business
performance is reported and assessed by the Board.
Deferred tax on unrealised foreign exchange differences
In calculating the adjusted tax rate, the Group excludes the potential future impact of the deferred tax
effects on unrealised foreign exchange differences arising on intra-group loans. The unrealised foreign
exchange differences were not recognised in the Group’s profit for the year due to differences in the
functional currency basis under tax and accounting rules for the US holding entities (see note 9).
Tax on adjusted items
Tax on adjusted items includes the tax effect of acquired intangible amortisation, exceptional
(operating and finance items) and share-based payment expense. In calculating the adjusted tax
rate, the Group excludes the potential future impact of the deferred tax effects on deductible
goodwill and intangible amortisation (other than internally generated software), as the Group
prefers to give users of its accounts a view of the tax charge based on the current status of such
items. Deferred tax would only crystallise on a sale of the relevant businesses, which is not
anticipated at the current time, and such a sale, being an exceptional item, would result in an
exceptional tax impact.
Organic revenue
The Group has made certain acquisitions that have affected the comparability of the Group’s results.
Organic revenue shows the current period results excluding the acquisition of ESN on 6 February
2023. Organic revenue is shown on a constant currency basis using average exchange rates for the
current financial period applied to the comparative period and is used to eliminate the effects of
fluctuations in assessing performance. Refer to the Glossary on page 184 for the full definition.
The following table provides a reconciliation of organic revenue from reported results:
Restated
Unaudited
Unaudited
Year ended
Year ended
30 September
30 September
2024
2023
$000
$000
Reported revenue
174,148
165,886
Acquisition related adjustment
(11,982)
(7,063)
Constant currency adjustment
945
Organic revenue
162,166
159,768
Increase in organic revenue %
2%
Adjusted net debt
Adjusted net debt comprises external borrowings net of arrangement fees and cash at bank which
allows management to monitor the indebtedness of the Group. Adjusted net debt excludes lease
liabilities and restricted cash (see note 15).
Cash and cash equivalents includes cash held by the Trustee of the Group’s Employee Benefit
Trust, which is not available to circulate within the Group on demand. This has been included in
restricted cash.
Restated
30 September
30 September
2024
2023
$000
$000
Cash at bank (note 15)
6,824
7,437
Current loans and borrowings (note 18)
(22,953)
(15,688)
Non-current loans and borrowings (note 18)
(98,530)
(132,923)
Total loans and borrowings
(121,483)
(148,611)
Adjusted net debt
(114,659)
(141,174)
3. Alternative performance measures
continued
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued
156
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Adjusted free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow conversion
Adjusted free cash flow represents cash flow from operations less additions to internally
generated software and property, plant and equipment. Internally generated software includes
development costs in relation to software that are capitalised when the related projects meet the
recognition criteria under UK-adopted IAS for an internally generated intangible asset. Movement
in working capital is adjusted for balances relating to exceptional items. The Group monitors its
operational efficiency with reference to operational cash conversion, defined as free cash flow
as a percentage of adjusted EBITDA.
The Group uses adjusted cash flow measures for the same purpose as adjusted profit measures,
in order to assist readers of the accounts in understanding the operational performance of the
Group. The two measures used are free cash flow and free cash flow conversion. A reported free
cash flow and cash conversion rate has not been provided as it would not give a fair indication of
the Group’s free cash flow and conversion performance given the high value of working capital
from exceptional items.
Restated
Year ended
Year ended
30 September
30 September
2024
2023
$000
$000
Adjusted EBITDA
79,969
78,394
Cash generated by operations
71,627
70,677
Adjustments for:
Exceptional operating items
1,145
3,311
Working capital from exceptional and other items
4,282
(1,348)
Additions to internally generated software (note 12)
(10,843)
(10,765)
Additions to property, plant and equipment (note 13)
(362)
(503)
Payment for right of use assets (note 17)
(230)
Adjusted free cash flow
65,849
61,142
Adjusted free cash flow conversion (%)
82%
78%
4. Operating segments
The operating segments reflect the Group’s management and internal reporting structure, which is
used to assess both the performance of the business and to allocate resources within the Group.
The assessment of performance and allocation of resources is focused on the category
of customer for each type of activity.
The Board has determined an operating management structure aligned around the four core
operations of the Group.
The four operating segments are as follows:
Arts & Antiques (“A&A”) marketplaces: focused on offering auction houses that specialise in
the sale of arts and antiques access to the platforms thesaleroom.com, liveauctioneers.com,
lot-tissimo.com and EstateSales.NET. A significant part of the Group’s services is provision of
a platform as a marketplace for the A&A auction houses to sell their goods. The segment also
generates earnings through additional services such as listing subscriptions, marketing income,
atgPay and atgShip. The Group contracts with customers predominantly under service
agreements, where the number of auctions to be held and the service offering differs from
client to client.
Industrial & Commercial (“I&C”) marketplaces: focused on offering auction houses that specialise
in the sale of industrial and commercial goods and machinery access to the platforms
BidSpotter.com, BidSpotter.co.uk and proxibid.com, as well as i-bidder.com for consumer
surplus and retail returns. A significant part of the Group’s services is provision of the platform
as a marketplace for the I&C auction houses to sell their goods. The segment also generates
earnings through additional services such as marketing income and atgPay. The Group contracts
with customers predominantly under service agreements, where the number of auctions to be
held and the service offering differs from client to client.
Auction Services: includes revenues from the Group’s auction house back-office products such
as Auction Mobility and other white label products including Wavebid.com.
Content: focused on the Antiques Trade Gazette paper and online magazine. The business
focuses on two streams of income: selling subscriptions of the Gazette and selling advertising
space within the paper and online. The Directors have disclosed information required by IFRS 8
for the Content segment despite the segment not meeting the reporting threshold.
There are no undisclosed or other operating segments.
4. Operating segments
continued
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued
157
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
An analysis of the results for the year by reportable segment is as follows:
Year ended 30 September 2024
Centrally
Auction
allocated
A&A
I&C
Services
Content
costs
Total
$000
$000
$000
$000
$000
$000
Revenue
90,289
71,795
8,406
3,658
– 174,148
Adjusted EBITDA (see note 3 for
definition and reconciliation)
72,398
60,746
5,040
1,224
(59,439) 79,969
Amortisation of intangible assets (note 12)
(25,688) (11,413)
(1,915)
– (39,016)
Depreciation of property, plant
and equipment (note 13)
(158)
(240)
(12)
(16)
(426)
Depreciation of right of use assets (note 17)
(678)
(199)
(5)
(57)
(939)
Share-based payment expense (note 21)
(1,477)
(1,810)
(65)
(2,663)
(6,015)
Exceptional operating items (note 3)
(828)
(317)
(1,145)
Operating profit/(loss)
43,569
47,084
3,043
1,151
(62,419) 32,428
Net finance costs (note 8)
(14,045) (14,045)
Profit/(loss) before tax
43,569
47,084
3,043
1,151
(76,464) 18,383
Year ended 30 September 2023 (restated)
Centrally
Auction
allocated
A&A
I&C
Services
Content
costs
Total
$000
$000
$000
$000
$000
$000
Revenue
80,551
71,378
10,190
3,767
– 165,886
Adjusted EBITDA (see note 3 for
definition and reconciliation)
66,211
61,171
6,403
1,366
(56,757)
78,394
Amortisation of intangible assets (note 12)
(24,383)
(11,235)
(1,732)
(37,350)
Depreciation of property, plant
and equipment (note 13)
(129)
(236)
(10)
(16)
(391)
Depreciation of right of use assets (note 17)
(678)
(342)
(10)
(69)
(1,099)
Share-based payment expense (note 21)
(1,828)
(2,163)
(103)
(4,522)
(8,616)
Exceptional operating items (note 3)
(3,311)
(3,311)
Operating profit/(loss)
35,882
47,195
4,548
1,281
(61,279)
27,627
Net finance costs (note 8)
(18,963) (18,963)
Profit/(loss) before tax
35,882
47,195
4,548
1,281
(80,242)
8,664
Segment assets are measured in the same way as in the financial statements. These assets are
allocated based on the operations of the segment and the physical location of the asset.
30 September 2024
30 September 2023 (restated)
Total
Additions
Total
Additions
non-current
to non-current
non-current
to non-current
assets
assets
assets
assets
$000
$000
$000
$000
By operating segment
A&A
572,367
5,033
589,956
46,142
I&C
234,171
6,088
228,752
7,365
Auction Services
32,398
105
34,212
423
Content
280
18
334
314
839,216
11,244
853,254
54,244
Restated
Year ended
Year ended
30 September
30 September
2024
2023
$000
$000
By geographical location
United Kingdom
68,202
70,698
United States
765,716
777,618
Germany
5,298
4,938
839,216
853,254
The Group has taken advantage of paragraph 23 of IFRS 8 Operating Segments and does not
provide segmental analysis of net assets as this information is not used by the Directors in
operational decision-making or monitoring of business performance.
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued
158
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
5. Revenue
Restated
Year ended
Year ended
30 September
30 September
2024
2023
$000
$000
Product and customer types
A&A
90,289
80,551
I&C
71,795
71,378
Auction Services
8,406
10,190
Content
3,658
3,767
174,148
165,886
Primary geographical markets
by location of operations
United Kingdom
25,299
24,096
United States
143,282
136,964
Germany
5,567
4,826
174,148
165,886
by location of customer
United Kingdom
25,889
24,557
United States
132,708
125,308
Europe
8,892
8,645
Rest of world
6,659
7,376
174,148
165,886
Timing of transfer of goods and services
Point in time
155,285
150,274
Over time
18,863
15,612
174,148
165,886
The Group has recognised the following assets and liabilities related to contracts with customers:
Restated
Restated
30 September
30 September
1 October
2024
2023
2022
$000
$000
$000
Contract assets
1,499
1,856
927
Contract liabilities
(1,639)
(1,851)
(1,886)
The following table shows how much of the revenue recognised in the current reporting period
relates to carried-forward contract liabilities:
Restated
Year ended
Year ended
30 September
30 September
2024
2023
$000
$000
Revenue recognised that was included in the contract liabilities
balance at the beginning of the year
1,797
1,782
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued
159
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
6. Operating profit
Operating profit is stated after charging/(crediting) the following:
Restated
Year ended
Year ended
30 September
30 September
2024
2023
$000
$000
Employment costs (note 7)
45,278
50,043
Amortisation of intangible assets (note 12)
– Acquired intangible assets
32,484
32,625
– Internally generated software
6,532
4,725
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment (note 13)
426
391
Depreciation of right of use assets (note 17)
939
1,099
Exceptional operating items (note 3)
1,145
3,311
Research and development
9,523
11,520
Net exchange differences
3
9
The total remuneration of the Group’s auditors, which changed to EY in FY24 from Deloitte in
FY23, for services to the Group is analysed below:
Restated
Year ended
Year ended
30 September
30 September
2024
2023
$000
$000
The audit of parent Company and Consolidated Financial
Statements
1,120
991
The audit of the Company’s subsidiaries
162
110
Total audit fees
1,282
1,101
Fees payable for other assurance services:
– Interim review
180
123
– Non-audit fees
15
12
Total auditor’s remuneration
1,477
1,236
The non-audit fees relate to covenant compliance reporting.
7. Staff costs and numbers
Staff costs for the year were as follows:
Restated
Year ended
Year ended
30 September
30 September
2024
2023
$000
$000
Wages and salaries
35,504
37,540
Social security costs
3,062
3,115
Pension costs
697
772
Share-based payment expense (note 21)
6,015
8,616
Total employment costs
45,278
50,043
The monthly average number of employees (including Executive Directors) by function:
Year ended
Year ended
30 September
30 September
2024
2023
Number
Number
Management
17
13
Administrative employees
59
56
Operational employees
294
327
Average number of employees
370
396
8. Net finance costs
Restated
Year ended
Year ended
30 September
30 September
2024
2023
$000
$000
Interest income
249
220
Interest on lease receivable (note 17)
9
Finance income
258
220
Interest on loans and borrowings
(12,437)
(12,985)
Amortisation of finance costs
(679)
(612)
Foreign exchange loss
(525)
(4,995)
Movements in deferred consideration (note 16)
(131)
(263)
Interest on lease liabilities (note 17)
(281)
(232)
Interest on tax
(250)
(96)
Finance costs
(14,303)
(19,183)
Net finance costs
(14,045)
(18,963)
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Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued
160
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
9. Taxation
Restated
Year ended
Year ended
30 September
30 September
2024
2023
$000
$000
Current tax
Current tax on profit for the year
9,731
11,660
Adjustments in respect of prior years
214
(205)
Total current tax
9,945
11,455
Deferred tax
Current year
(15,967)
(22,368)
Adjustments from change in tax rates
(278)
(629)
Adjustments in respect of prior years
491
(337)
Deferred tax
(15,754)
(23,334)
Tax credit
(5,809)
(11,879)
The tax on the Group’s profit before tax differs from the theoretical amount that would arise using
the standard tax rate applicable to profits of the Group as follows:
Restated
Year ended
Year ended
30 September
30 September
2024
2023
$000
$000
Profit before tax
18,383
8,664
Tax at United Kingdom tax rate of 25% (FY23: 22%)
4,596
1,907
Tax effect of:
Deferred tax on unrealised foreign exchange differences
(8,054)
(8,810)
Foreign exchange difference not taxable for tax purposes
(3,440)
(3,077)
Non-deductible expenditure
1,313
1,278
Deductible items
(582)
(1,695)
Movement in provisions for tax uncertainties
(439)
(312)
Differences in overseas tax rates
370
1
Adjustments from change in tax rates
(278)
(629)
Adjustments in respect of prior years
705
(542)
Tax credit
(5,809)
(11,879)
The deferred tax credit on unrealised foreign exchange differences of $8.1m (FY23: $8.8m) arises
from US holding companies with pound sterling as their functional currency for the Consolidated
Financial Statements but US dollar functional currency under US tax rules. Per the US tax basis
these holding companies included an unrealised foreign exchange loss of $30.6m on intra-group
loans denominated in pound sterling totalling £246.2m (FY23: $34.6m on intra-group loans of
£295.6m). Unrealised foreign exchange differences are not taxable until they are realised, giving
rise to deferred tax (see note 19). On 25 September 2024, the intra-group loan was redenominated
into US dollars and a loss of $0.7m realised. From this date there is no foreign exchange exposure
on this loan and deferred tax liability at 30 September 2024 is $nil.
The Group’s profit before tax includes foreign exchange gain of $13.5m (tax effected: $3.4m) from
US holding companies on their US dollar denominated intra-group balances (FY23: $12.3m, tax
effected $3.1m) which are not taxable for US tax purposes.
Non-deductible expenditure primarily relates to share-based payments and in FY23 it also
included non-deductible exceptional operating items.
Deductible items include research and development tax credits and in FY23 it also included
deductions for the exercise of management rollover options and restricted stock units granted for
the acquisition of LiveAuctioneers.
The movement in provisions for tax uncertainties reflects releases due to the expiry of relevant
statutes of limitation. The Group’s tax affairs are governed by local tax regulations in the UK, North
America and Germany. Given the uncertainties that could arise in the application of these
regulations, judgements are often required in determining the tax that is due. Where management
is aware of potential uncertainties in local jurisdictions, that are judged more likely than not to
result in a liability for additional tax, a provision is made for management’s expected value of the
liability, determined with reference to similar transactions and third-party advice. This provision at
30 September 2024 amounted to $0.6m (FY23: $1.0m).
In the current period, uncertain tax liabilities are recorded within current tax liabilities on the face
of the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position. In the prior period, uncertain tax liabilities
were recorded within non-current tax liabilities. Management has reassessed the fact pattern of
the uncertain tax liabilities taking into account requirements of IAS 1 and considers that they are
better reflected as current tax liabilities.
Tax recognised in other comprehensive income:
Restated
Year ended
Year ended
30 September
30 September
2024
2023
$000
$000
Current tax
(3,255)
(3,186)
Tax recognised in other comprehensive income includes current tax on the Group’s net
investment hedge.
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued
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Annual Report 2024
10. Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit for the year attributable to ordinary
shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year,
after excluding the weighted average number of non-vested ordinary shares.
Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit for the year attributable to ordinary
shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares including non-vested/
non-exercised ordinary shares. During the year and prior year, the Group awarded conditional
share awards to Directors and certain employees through an LTIP (see note 21).
Restated
Year ended
Year ended
30 September
30 September
2024
2023
$000
$000
Profit aributable to equity shareholders of the Company
24,192
20,543
Number
Number
Weighted average number of shares in issue
121,711,636
121,050,307
Weighted average number of options vested not exercised
1,082,642
1,338,182
Weighted average number of shares held by the Employee Benefit Trust
(67,210)
(162,934)
Weighted average number of shares
122,727,068
122,225,555
Dilutive share options
1,121,494
862,822
Diluted weighted average number of shares
123,848,562
123,088,377
cents
cents
Basic earnings per share
19.7
16.8
Diluted earnings per share
19.5
16.7
11. Business combinations
Business combinations for the year ended 30 September 2024
There were no business combinations during FY24.
Business combinations for the year ended 30 September 2023
Acquisition of Vintage Soſtware LLC., trading as EstateSales.NET (“ESN”)
On 6 February 2023, the Group acquired 100% of the equity share capital of ESN. ESN provides a
platform to facilitate estate sales across the US. Both corporate estate sale companies as well as
private customers use ESN to advertise online the sale of millions of unique second-hand items
sourced from a range of events including private home estate sales and business liquidations. The
purpose of the acquisition was to further strengthen the Group’s presence in the US and expand
its A&A segment into an attractive adjacent channel for the resale of second-hand items.
The maximum consideration payable was $40.0m, with an initial cash payment of $30.2m,
deferred consideration of $10.0m was payable after 12 months and a working capital adjustment
of $27,000. The deferred consideration was paid in full in February 2024.
Management calculated the fair value of the deferred consideration using the acquisition’s internal
rate of return to discount the liability, resulting in a liability of $9.6m. The unwinding of discount of
$0.4m was reported as a finance cost in the Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss over the
period of the earn-out (see note 8).
11. Business combinations
continued
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Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued
162
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Final purchase price allocation
Management assessed the fair value of the acquired assets and liabilities as part of the purchase
price allocation (“PPA”). The final fair values of the assets and liabilities are set out below.
Fair value
Book value
adjustments
Final fair value
$000
$000
$000
Acquired intangible assets – software
2,605
2,605
Acquired intangible assets – customer relationships
11,521
11,521
Acquired intangible assets – brand
274
2,900
3,174
Property, plant and equipment
194
194
Right of use assets
528
528
Cash and cash equivalents
187
187
Trade receivables and other receivables
50
50
Lease liabilities
(528)
(528)
Trade and other payables
(356)
(356)
Net assets on acquisition
349
17,026
17,375
Goodwill (note 12)
22,422
Total consideration
39,797
Consideration satisfied by:
Initial cash consideration
30,191
Deferred consideration
9,606
39,797
Net cash flow arising on acquisition:
Initial cash consideration
30,191
Less: cash and cash equivalent balances acquired
(187)
30,004
Acquired intangible assets
Acquired intangible assets represent customer relationships, auction technology platform and
brand. The intangible assets are being amortised over their respective expected useful economic
lives: customer relationships of two to seven years, auction technology platform of five years and
brand of 15 years.
Deferred tax
Goodwill and acquired intangible assets of $39.8m are deductible for income tax purposes.
Goodwill
Goodwill arises as a result of the surplus of consideration over the fair value of the separately
identifiable assets acquired. The main reason leading to the recognition of goodwill is the future
economic benefits arising from assets which are not capable of being individually identified
and separately recognised; these include the value of synergies expected to be realised
post-acquisition, new customer relationships and the fair value of the assembled workforce within
the business acquired.
Acquisition costs of $0.8m (FY23: $3.3m) directly related to the business combination were
immediately expensed to the Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss as part of administrative
expenses and included within exceptional operating items (see note 3). Between 6 February 2023
and 30 September 2023, ESN contributed $7.1m to FY23 Group revenues and a profit before tax of
$1.3m. If the acquisition had occurred on 1 October 2022, FY23 Group revenue would have been
$168.5m and FY23 Group profit before tax would have been $10.0m.
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued
163
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
12. Goodwill and other intangible assets
Total acquired
Internally
Customer
Non-compete
intangible
generated
Software
relationships
Brand
agreement
assets
software
Goodwill
Total
$000
$000
$000
$000
$000
$000
$000
$000
Cost
1 October 2022 (restated as detailed in note 1)
47,347
232,108
42,940
1,672
324,067
21,911
546,167
892,145
Acquisition of business (note 11)
2,605
11,521
3,174
17,300
22,422
39,722
Additions
10,765
10,765
Exchange differences
683
4,416
624
5,723
687
9,983
16,393
30 September 2023 (restated as detailed in note 1)
50,635
248,045
46,738
1,672
347,090
33,363
578,572
959,025
Additions
10,843
10,843
Exchange differences
780
5,048
702
6,530
975
11,417
18,922
30 September 2024
51,415
253,093
47,440
1,672
353,620
45,181
589,989
988,790
Amortisation and impairment
1 October 2022 (restated as detailed in note 1)
13,884
36,182
5,770
785
56,621
14,025
70,646
Amortisation
5,626
22,992
3,589
418
32,625
4,725
37,350
Exchange differences
615
1,610
166
2,391
337
2,728
30 September 2023 (restated as detailed in note 1)
20,125
60,784
9,525
1,203
91,637
19,087
110,724
Amortisation
4,412
23,925
3,694
453
32,484
6,532
39,016
Exchange differences
780
3,026
299
4,105
682
4,787
30 September 2024
25,317
87,735
13,518
1,656
128,226
26,301
154,527
Net book value
1 October 2022 (restated as detailed in note 1)
33,463
195,926
37,170
887
267,446
7,886
546,167
821,499
30 September 2023 (restated as detailed in note 1)
30,510
187,261
37,213
469
255,453
14,276
578,572
848,301
30 September 2024
26,098
165,358
33,922
16
225,394
18,880
589,989
834,263
Included within internally generated software is capital work-in-progress of $5.7m (FY23: $4.3m).
Intangible assets, other than goodwill, have a finite life and are amortised over their expected useful lives at the rates set out in the accounting policies in note 1.
12. Goodwill and other intangible assets
continued
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Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued
164
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
The expected amortisation profile of acquired intangible assets is shown below:
Customer
Non-compete
Software
relationships
Brand
agreement
Total
$000
$000
$000
$000
$000
One to five years
19,639
92,964
18,161
16
130,780
Six to 10 years
6,459
60,871
11,210
78,540
11 to 15 years
11,523
4,551
16,074
30 September 2024
26,098
165,358
33,922
16
225,394
Impairment assessment
The goodwill and intangibles attributed to each of the group of cash-generating units (“CGUs”)
are assessed for impairment at least annually or more frequently where there are indicators
of impairment. The Group tests for impairment of goodwill at the operating segment level
representing an aggregation of CGUs, the level at which goodwill is monitored by management.
No group of CGUs is larger than an operating segment as defined by IFRS 8 Operating Segments
before aggregation. The recoverable amount for the group of CGUs has been determined on a
value in use basis (“VIU”).
The table below sets out the carrying values of goodwill and other acquired intangible assets
allocated to each group of CGUs at 30 September 2024 along with the pre-tax discount rates
applied to the risk-adjusted cash flow forecasts and the long-term growth rate.
Acquired
intangible
Pre-tax
Goodwill
assets
Valuation
Long-term
discount
2024
$000
$000
method
growth rate
rate
A&A marketplaces
367,618
194,215
VIU
3%
11.8%
I&C marketplaces
197,707
23,878
VIU
3%
11.9%
Auction Services
24,664
7,301
VIU
3%
10.3%
Total
589,989
225,394
Acquired
intangible
Pre-tax
Goodwill
assets
Valuation
Long-term
discount
2023 (restated)
$000
$000
method
growth rate
rate
A&A marketplaces
364,604
215,977
VIU
3%
12.7%
I&C marketplaces
189,304
30,468
VIU
3%
12.7%
Auction Services
24,664
9,008
VIU
3%
11.4%
Total
578,572
255,453
When testing for impairment, recoverable amounts for all the groups of CGUs are measured at
their value in use by discounting the future expected cash flows from the assets in the group of
CGUs. These calculations use cash flow projections based on Board approved budgets and
approved plans. While the Group prepares a five-year plan, levels of uncertainty increase as the
planning horizon extends. The Group’s plan focuses more closely on the next three years, however
for the purposes of the impairment testing the five-year forecasts are used as we do not
anticipate the long-term growth rate to be achieved until after this time.
The key assumptions and estimates used for value in use calculations are summarised as follows:
Assumption
Approach
Risk-adjusted
are determined by reference to the budget for the year following the balance
cash flows
sheet date and forecasts for the following four years, after which a long-term
perpetuity growth rate is applied. The most recent financial budget approved
by the Board has been prepared after considering the current economic
environment in each of the Group’s markets. These projections represent
the Directors’ best estimate of the future performance of these businesses.
CAGR
is the five-year compound annual growth rate from FY24 of the risk-adjusted
cash flows above.
Long-term
are applied after the forecast period. These are based on external reports
growth rates
on long-term GDP growth rates for the main markets in which each CGU
operates. Therefore, these do not exceed the long-term average growth rates
for the individual markets.
Pre-tax discount
are derived from the post-tax weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”)
rates
which has been calculated using the capital asset pricing model. They are
weighted based on the geographical area in which the CGU group’s revenue
is generated. The assumptions used in the calculation of the WACC are
benchmarked to externally available data and they represent the Group’s
current market assessment of the time value of money and risks specific to
the CGUs. Movements in the pre-tax discount rates for CGUs since the year
ended 30 September 2023 are driven by changes in market-based inputs. Any
unsystematic risk on the CGUs has been inherently built into the cash flows
of each of the CGUs and therefore no additional element of risk has been
included in the discount rates used at 30 September 2024.
12. Goodwill and other intangible assets
continued
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued
165
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Sensitivity analysis
At 30 September 2024 under the impairment assessments prepared there is no impairment
required. Management have performed sensitivity analysis based on reasonably possible scenarios
including increasing the discount rates and reducing the CAGR on the future forecast cash flows,
both of which are feasible given the current future uncertainty of macroeconomics. The Auction
Services CGU is sensitive to a movement in any one of the key assumptions.
For Auction Services, with a headroom of $0.9m (FY23: $7.4m), for the recoverable amount to
fall to the carrying value, the discount rate would need to be increased to 10.5% from 10.3% (FY23:
13.4% from 11.4%), the long-term growth rate reduced to 2.7% from 3.0% (FY23: 0.2% from 3.0%),
or the CAGR on the five-year future forecast cash flows reduced by 0.5 ppt (FY23: 2 ppt). In the
future forecast cash flows there is an assumption that the take rate CAGR improves by 2% over
the five-year period. If this is not achieved this would give rise to an impairment of $7.5m.
For the A&A and I&C marketplaces CGUs, there is no reasonable change of assumption that would
cause the CGU’s carrying amount to exceed its recoverable amount. Under the base case scenario
for the A&A marketplaces CGU there is headroom of $147.8m at 30 September 2024 (FY23:
$302.6m). The year-on-year decrease in headroom is largely driven by the reduction in five-year
CAGR based on the slower consumer environment experienced in FY24. Under the base case
scenario for the I&C marketplaces CGU there is headroom of $74.5m at 30 September 2024 (FY23:
$417.5m). The year-on-year decrease in headroom is largely driven by the reduction in five-year
CAGR based on the slower consumer environment in A&A and softer performance in I&C in FY24.
13. Property, plant and equipment
Land and
Fixtures,
buildings
Computer
fittings and
leasehold
equipment
equipment
Total
$000
$000
$000
$000
Cost
1 October 2022 (restated as detailed in note 1)
581
689
414
1,684
Acquisition of business (note 11)
194
194
Additions
63
353
87
503
Disposals
(462)
(25)
(12)
(499)
Exchange differences
41
5
46
30 September 2023 (restated as detailed in note 1)
376
1,058
494
1,928
Additions
43
307
12
362
Exchange differences
70
53
6
129
30 September 2024
489
1,418
512
2,419
Accumulated depreciation
1 October 2022 (restated as detailed in note 1)
440
403
291
1,134
Charge for the year
117
215
59
391
Disposals
(462)
(25)
(12)
(499)
Exchange differences
23
5
28
30 September 2023 (restated as detailed in note 1)
95
616
343
1,054
Charge for the year
74
298
54
426
Exchange differences
68
38
6
112
30 September 2024
237
952
403
1,592
Net book value
1 October 2022 (restated as detailed in note 1)
141
286
123
550
30 September 2023 (restated as detailed in note 1)
281
442
151
874
30 September 2024
252
466
109
827
There is no material difference between the property, plant and equipment’s historical cost values
as stated above and their fair value equivalents.
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued
166
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
14. Trade and other receivables
Restated
30 September
30 September
2024
2023
$000
$000
Current
Trade receivables
13,807
15,819
Less: loss provision
(1,505)
(500)
12,302
15,319
Other receivables
2,199
1,329
Prepayments
2,786
3,317
Lease receivable
136
17,423
19,965
Non-current
Other receivables
1,276
138
Lease receivable
151
1,427
138
18,850
20,103
The Group applies the IFRS 9 Financial Instruments simplified approach to measuring expected
credit losses using a lifetime expected credit loss provision for trade receivables and contract
assets. To measure expected credit losses on a collective basis, trade receivables and contract
assets are grouped based on similar credit risk and ageing. The contract assets have similar risk
characteristics to the trade receivables for similar types of contracts. The expected loss model
incorporates current and forward-looking information on macroeconomic factors affecting the
Group’s customers.
The average credit period on sales is 30 days after the invoice has been issued. No interest is
charged on outstanding trade receivables. At 30 September 2024 there were no customers who
owed in excess of 10% of the total trade debtor balance (FY23: $nil).
The ageing of trade receivables at 30 September was:
2024
2023 (restated)
Loss
Expected
Loss
Expected
Gross
provision
loss rate
Gross
provision
loss rate
$000
$000
%
$000
$000
%
Within 30 days
11,011
351
3%
12,120
52
0%
Between 30 and 60 days
1,176
25
2%
1,310
3
0%
Between 60 and 90 days
479
23
5%
640
12
2%
Over 90 days
1,141
1,106
97%
1,749
433
25%
30 September
13,807
1,505
11%
15,819
500
3%
The movement in the loss provision during the year was as follows:
Restated
Year ended
Year ended
30 September
30 September
2024
2023
$000
$000
1 October
500
935
Increase/(decrease) in loss allowance recognised in
Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss
2,224
(210)
Uncollectable amounts written off
(1,233)
(234)
Exchange differences
14
9
30 September
1,505
500
Trade receivables and contract assets are written off where there is no reasonable expectation of
recovery. Indicators that there is no reasonable expectation of recovery include, amongst others,
the failure of a debtor to engage in a repayment plan with the Group, and a failure to make
contractual payments for a period of greater than 120 days past due.
Impairment losses on trade receivables and contract assets are presented as net impairment
losses within operating profit. Subsequent recoveries of amounts previously written off are
credited against the same line item. The carrying amount of trade and other receivables
approximates to their fair value. The total amount of trade receivables that were past due but not
impaired was $0.5m (FY23: $1.9m).
The decrease in trade receivables held by the Group is driven by the focused effort on collections
pre-year end in addition to the increased level of amounts written off in the year relating to aged
balances which were deemed uncollectable. The increase in the loss provision is due to the level
of uncollectible amounts written off in the year which impacts the expected credit loss model
calculation combined with the specific risk factors identified for specific customer groups.
Strategic Report
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Financial Statements
Further Information
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued
167
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
15. Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at bank and restricted cash. Cash at bank includes cash
in transit due from credit card providers. The carrying amount of these assets approximates to
their fair value.
Restated
30 September
30 September
2024
2023
$000
$000
Cash at bank
6,824
7,437
Restricted cash
2
2,979
6,826
10,416
Restricted cash consists of cash held by the Trustee of the Group’s Employee Benefit Trust (“EBT”)
relating to share awards for employees. Prior to the IPO, the EBT facilitated the making of pre-IPO
equity awards to beneficiaries of the sub-fund out of sweet equity that had been allocated to
management by the private equity investors. However, not all of the assets in the sub-fund were
allocated to beneficiaries on IPO. Given February 2024 was three years since the Company’s IPO it
was agreed that the legacy sub-fund should be wound up by the Trustee in February 2024 and the
assets of the sub-fund be distributed to its beneficiaries.
16. Trade and other payables
Restated
30 September
30 September
2024
2023
$000
$000
Current
Trade payables
2,820
4,516
Payroll tax and other statutory liabilities
3,248
6,694
Deferred consideration
9,869
Accruals
5,423
9,264
11,491
30,343
The carrying amount of trade and other payables classified as financial liabilities at amortised
cost approximates to their fair value.
The deferred consideration was settled in cash in February 2024. The unwinding of the discount
on deferred consideration in the year is $0.1m (FY23: $0.3m) which is included as a finance cost
(note 8) in the Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss.
17. Leases
The Group leases assets including property and motor vehicles.
During the year ended 30 September 2024, as part of the Group’s restructure of the North
America finance team, it was determined the office in Omaha was no longer required. The original
lease was entered into in April 2023 and a decision was made to sublet the office from June 2024
until the end of the five-year lease in April 2028. The loss on derecognition of the right of use
asset of $0.1m has been treated as an exceptional operating item (see note 3). The sublease has
been treated as a lease receivable included in trade and other receivables (see note 14).
The Group also entered into two new motor vehicle lease agreements. The new leases have been
treated as additions.
At 30 September 2023 and 2024, there were no non-cancellable commitments relating to
short-term leases or low-value lease commitments.
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued
168
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
As a lessee
The weighted average incremental borrowing rate contracted in FY24 was 7.8% (FY23: 7.5%).
Land and buildings
Computer
Motor
leasehold
equipment
vehicles
Total
$000
$000
$000
$000
Right of use assets
1 October 2022 (restated as detailed in note 1)
1,912
3
1,915
Acquisition of business (note 11)
528
528
Additions
687
687
Modifications
1,845
1,845
Depreciation charge for the year
(1,096)
(3)
(1,099)
Exchange differences
65
65
30 September 2023 (restated as detailed in note 1)
3,941
3,941
Additions
39
39
Transfer to lease receivable
(419)
(419)
Loss on derecognition
(99)
(99)
Depreciation charge for the year
(932)
(7)
(939)
Exchange differences
174
2
176
30 September 2024
2,665
34
2,699
Lease liabilities
1 October 2022 (restated as detailed in note 1)
2,051
4
2,055
Acquisition of business (note 11)
528
528
Additions
687
687
Modifications
1,615
1,615
Interest charge for the year
232
232
Lease payments
(1,192)
(4)
(1,196)
Exchange differences
50
50
30 September 2023 (restated as detailed in note 1)
3,971
3,971
Additions
39
39
Interest charge for the year
280
1
281
Lease payments
(1,020)
(10)
(1,030)
Exchange differences
172
2
174
30 September 2024
3,403
32
3,435
Current
874
12
886
Non-current
2,529
20
2,549
30 September 2024
3,403
32
3,435
The charge recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss for the year was as follows:
Restated
Year ended
Year ended
30 September
30 September
2024
2023
$000
$000
Depreciation charge
(939)
(1,099)
Interest charge
(281)
(232)
Loss on derecognition of right of use asset
(99)
(1,319)
(1,331)
The non-cancellable lease rentals are payable as follows:
Restated
30 September
30 September
2024
2023
$000
$000
Within 1 year
1,030
922
Between 1 and 2 years
924
945
Between 2 and 5 years
1,328
2,085
3,282
3,952
As a lessor
Land and
buildings
leasehold
$000
Lease receivable (see note 14)
Transfer from right of use assets
419
Interest income for the year
9
Lease income received
(141)
30 September 2024
287
Current
136
Non-current
151
30 September 2024
287
The income recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss for the year was as follows:
Year ended
30 September
2024
$000
Interest income
9
The non-cancellable lease rentals receivables are as follows:
30 September
2024
$000
Within 1 year
117
Between 1 and 2 years
121
Between 2 and 5 years
82
320
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued
169
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
18. Loans and borrowings
The carrying amount of loans and borrowings classified as financial liabilities at amortised cost
approximates to their fair value.
Restated
30 September
30 September
2024
2023
$000
$000
Current
Secured bank loan
22,953
15,688
Non-current
Secured bank loan
98,530
132,923
121,483
148,611
The Group entered into a Senior Facilities Agreement on 17 June 2021 which included:
A senior term loan facility (the “Senior Term Facility”) for $204.0m for the acquisition of
LiveAuctioneers. The Senior Term Facility was drawn down in full on 30 September 2021 prior
to completion of the acquisition of LiveAuctioneers on 1 October 2021. In FY24, a payment of
$27.7m (FY23: $53.7m) was paid on the Senior Term Facility. In the absence of any other
prepayments, the scheduled repayment in FY25 is $6.1m on 31 March 2025 and then $8.7m
quarterly from 30 June 2025. The loan will be due for repayment on 17 June 2026.
A multi-currency revolving credit working capital facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) for
$49.0m. Any sums outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility will be due for repayment by
17 June 2026. On 13 February 2024, $9.5m (FY23: $26.3m) was drawn down to partly fund the
payment of deferred consideration and retention bonuses relating to the acquisition of ESN in
FY23 (see note 11), and has been fully repaid by 30 September 2024.
The Senior Facilities Agreement contains an adjusted net leverage covenant which tests the
ratio of adjusted net debt against adjusted EBITDA and an interest cover ratio which tests the
ratio of adjusted EBITDA against net finance charges. In each case the covenant is measured
as at the last date of each financial quarter, commencing with the financial quarter ending
30 September 2021. The Group has complied with the financial covenants of its borrowing
facilities during the year ended 30 September 2024.
The movements in loans and borrowings are as follows:
Restated
30 September
30 September
2024
2023
$000
$000
1 October
148,611
201,997
Repayment of loans and borrowings
(37,150)
(80,014)
Proceeds from loans and borrowings
9,500
26,300
Accrued interest and amortisation of finance costs
13,116
13,597
Interest paid
(12,459)
(13,097)
Exchange differences
(135)
(172)
30 September
121,483
148,611
The currency profile of the loans and borrowings is as follows:
Restated
30 September
30 September
2024
2023
$000
$000
US dollar
121,483
148,611
The weighted average interest charge (including amortised cost written off) for the year is as follows:
Year ended
Year ended
30 September
30 September
2024
2023
%
%
Secured bank loan
8%
8%
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued
170
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
19. Deferred taxation
The movement of net deferred tax liabilities is as follows:
Capitalised
Other
goodwill and
Share-based
Foreign
Research and
temporary
intangibles
Tax losses
payments
exchange
development
differences
Total
$000
$000
$000
$000
$000
$000
$000
1 October 2022 (restated as detailed in note 1)
(65,101)
6,832
1,267
(15,350)
177
(72,175)
Amount credited to Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss
8,055
4,644
827
7,634
1,900
274
23,334
Exchange differences
(834)
111
(65)
(788)
30 September 2023 (restated as detailed in note 1)
(57,880)
11,476
2,205
(7,716)
1,900
386
(49,629)
Deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities
(57,880)
11,476
2,205
(7,716)
1,900
386
(49,629)
1 October 2023 (restated as detailed in note 1)
(57,880)
11,476
2,205
(7,716)
1,900
386
(49,629)
Amount credited/(charged) to Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss
5,568
546
(672)
8,038
1,627
647
15,754
Exchange differences
(621)
172
(322)
(31)
4
(798)
30 September 2024
(52,933)
12,022
1,705
3,496
1,037
(34,673)
Deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities
(52,933)
12,022
1,705
3,496
1,037
(34,673)
Tax losses include unrelieved interest in the US, where there are sufficient taxable profits forecast to be available in the future to enable them to be utilised. These losses are available indefinitely. Tax
on foreign exchange include unrealised foreign exchange differences arises from US holding companies with pound sterling as their functional currency for the Consolidated Financial Statements but
US dollar functional currency under US tax rules (see note 9). On 25 September 2024, the intra-group loan which has given rise to the temporary differences on foreign exchange was redenominated
into US Dollars realising the foreign exchange and reducing the temporary difference to $nil. A deferred tax asset of $3.5m (FY23: $1.9m) relates to the US research and development credit which is
spread over future years rather than fully deductible in the year it arises.
No deferred tax asset has been recognised in respect of unused tax losses in the UK of $0.8m (FY23: $0.9m) as it is not considered probable that there will be future taxable profits available to offset
these tax losses. The losses may be carried forward indefinitely. The temporary differences relating to the unremitted earnings of overseas subsidiaries amounted to $0.8m (FY23: $1.1m). However, as
the Group can control whether it pays dividends from its subsidiaries and it can control the timing of any dividends, no deferred tax has been provided on the unremitted earnings on the basis there is
no intention to repatriate these amounts. In presenting the Group’s deferred tax balances, the Group offsets assets and liabilities to the extent we have a legally enforceable right to set off the arising
income tax liabilities and assets when those deferred tax balances reverse.
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued
171
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
20. Share capital and reserves
Restated
30 September
30 September
2024
2023
$000
$000
Authorised, called up and fully paid
121,819,130 ordinary shares at 0.01p each (FY23: 121,491,412)
17
17
The movements in share capital, share premium and other reserve are set out below:
Share
Share
Other
Number of
capital
premium
reserve
shares
$000
$000
$000
1 October 2022 (restated as detailed in note 1)
120,525,304
17
334,045
330,310
Shares issued
680,794
413
Shares issued in respect of share-based payment plans
285,314
30 September 2023 (restated as detailed in note 1)
121,491,412
17
334,458
330,310
Shares issued
1,978
5
Shares issued in respect of share-based payment plans
325,740
30 September 2024
121,819,130
17
334,463
330,310
For the year ended 30 September 2024
327,718 ordinary shares of 0.01p each with an aggregate nominal value of £33 ($42) were issued
for options that vested for a cash consideration of £4,000 ($5,000). These included Long-term
Incentive Plan Awards (“LTIP Awards”), Share Incentive Plan (“SIP”) and Employee Stock Purchase
Plan (“ESPP”) and to the Trust for LTIP Awards that have vested in the year.
For the year ended 30 September 2023
966,108 ordinary shares of 0.01p each with an aggregate nominal value of £97 ($118) were issued
for options that vested for a cash consideration of £328,000 ($413,000). These included
management rollover options and restricted stock units granted in FY22 for the acquisition of
LiveAuctioneers, Long-term Incentive Plan Awards (“LTIP Awards”), shares issued under the Share
Incentive Plan (“SIP”) and Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) and to the Trust for LTIP Awards
that have vested in the year.
Reserves
The movements in reserves are set out below:
Capital
Share
Foreign
Retained
redemption
option
currency
earnings/
reserve
reserve
translation
losses)
$000
$000
$000
$000
1 October 2022 (restated as detailed in note 1)
7
46,313
(61,129)
(47,162)
Total comprehensive income for the year
18,304
17,357
Options exercised related to previous business
combination
(19,297)
19,297
Share-based payment expense
7,980
LTIP options exercised
(2,313)
2,313
30 September 2023 (restated as detailed in note 1)
7
32,683
42,825
(8,195)
Total comprehensive income for the year
13,963
20,937
Share-based payment expense
6,400
LTIP options exercised
(7,665)
7,665
30 September 2024
7
31,418
(28,862)
20,407
The following describes the nature and purpose of each reserve within equity:
Retained earnings/
represent the profits/(losses) of the Group made in current and preceding
(losses)
years.
Other reserve
comprises:
a merger reserve that arose on the Group reorganisation on 13 January
2020 and is the adjustment of the comparative and current year
consolidated reserves of the Group to reflect the statutory share capital
and share premium of Auction Technology Group plc as if it had always
existed; and
share premium, net of share issue costs, recognised in the other reserve
in accordance with section 612 of the Companies Act 2006 for the equity
raise on 17 June 2021 via a cashbox placing.
Capital redemption
arose on the redemption or purchase of the Company’s own shares. The
reserve
Company issued shares directly to the Trust of 275,876 during the year and
held 24,280 as at 30 September 2024 (FY23: 210,475).
Share option
relates to share options awarded (see note 21) and options granted in FY22
reserve
for the acquisition of LiveAuctioneers.
Foreign currency
comprises all foreign exchange differences arising from the translation of
translation reserve
the financial statements of foreign operations.
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued
172
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
21. Employee benefits
Defined contribution pension plans
The Group operates several defined contribution pension plans. The total expense relating to
these plans in the current year was $0.7m (FY23: $0.8m). There was $86,000 accruing to these
pension schemes as at 30 September 2024 (FY23: $85,000).
Share-based payments
The Group had three share-based payment plans in effect in FY24, details of which are set out
in this note and the Remuneration Committee Report.
Pre-admission awards
Pre-admission awards were granted to employees in January and February 2021 in advance of the
IPO. Pre-admission awards subject to a three-year holding period subject to the recipient’s
continued employment vested in FY24.
LTIP
The Long-term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) is the primary long-term incentive plan for approximately
180 employees within the Group. Under the plan, annual awards, based on a percentage of salary,
may be offered. These awards will vest over a range from one to four years subject to the
recipient’s continued employment at the date of vesting and, for Executive Directors, the
satisfaction of performance conditions to be measured over three financial years.
LA LTIP
Nil-cost awards under the LTIP were granted to employees on acquisition of LiveAuctioneers on
1 October 2021. These awards will vest over a range from one to six years subject to the recipient’s
continued employment at the date of vesting.
SIP and ESPP
The Group operates a Share Incentive Plan (“SIP”) and Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”)
in which all employees, including Executive Directors, are eligible to participate. The plans were
approved by shareholders in 2021 and implemented with effect from 1 November 2021.
UK participants in the SIP may invest up to £1,800 of their pre-tax salary each year to purchase
shares in the Company. For each share acquired, the Company purchases a matching share.
Employees must remain with the Group for three years from the date of purchase of each
Partnership Share in order to qualify for the matching share, and for five years for the shares to
be transferred to them tax free. The employee is entitled to dividends on shares purchased, and
to vote at shareholder meetings. There is a similar scheme for employees in Germany. US
participants in the ESPP may contribute a portion of their monthly salary over six-month periods
up to a maximum of $12,500. At the end of the period, the employee has the option to withdraw
their accumulated funds or purchase shares at a price equal to 85% of the lower of the market
prices prevailing at the beginning or end of the period. Employees purchased 60,986 (FY23: 50,184)
shares of the Company at a weighted average exercise price of $6.90 (FY23: $7.23).
Deferred bonus – equity seled
The Deferred Share Bonus Plan (“DSBP”) is a discretionary plan for Executive employees to defer a
portion of their cash bonus into an award of shares. Of the annual incentive to Executive Directors,
25% is deferred into shares under the DSBP. Deferred shares must normally be held for a period of
three years.
The share awards/options set out below are outstanding at 30 September 2024.
Share-
Cancelled/
based
Options at
Exercised
forfeited
Options at
payment
1 October
Granted
during the
during the
30 September
expense
2023
in the year
year
year
2024
$000
Number
Number
Number
Number
Number
Pre-admission awards
1,623
483,566
(483,566)
LTIP
4,476
1,572,292 1,724,333
(270,136)
(747,312)
2,279,177
LA LTIP
74
171,178
(92,672)
(26,425)
52,081
Deferred bonus –
equity settled
127
27,823
10,923
38,746
SIP and ESPP
100
12,671
16,605
(751)
(6,427)
22,098
Payroll tax
(385)
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
Total
6,015
2,267,530
1,751,861
(847,125)
(780,164)
2,392,102
The share awards/options set out below are outstanding at 30 September 2023.
Restated
Share-
Cancelled/
based
Options at
Exercised
forfeited
Options at
payment
1 October
Granted
during the
during the
30 September
expense
2022
in the year
year
year
2023
$000
Number
Number
Number
Number
Number
Pre-admission awards
975
549,069
(65,503)
483,566
LTIP
5,987
1,043,047
919,954
(147,167)
(243,542)
1,572,292
LA LTIP
813
236,241
82,289
(39,820)
(107,532)
171,178
Deferred bonus –
equity settled
97
8,636
19,187
27,823
SIP and ESPP
108
14,343
(1,672)
12,671
Payroll tax
636
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
Total
8,616
1,836,993
1,035,773
(186,987)
(418,249)
2,267,530
All share options outstanding are equity-settled and are options to subscribe for new ordinary
shares of 0.01p each in the Company.
The weighted average exercise price of the options granted was $0.54 (FY23: $nil). The weighted
average exercise price of options exercised and forfeited was $nil (FY23: $nil) and the market price
at date of exercise was $6.99 (FY23: $8.67). The options outstanding at 30 September 2024 had a
weighted average exercise price of $0.40 (FY23: $nil) and a weighted average remaining contractual
life of 1.4 years (FY23: 1.1 years). There are 262,750 share options with a weighted average exercise
price of $nil exercisable at 30 September 2024 (FY23: 18,850).
21. Employee benefits
continued
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued
173
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Fair value
The fair value is determined at the date of grant and is not subsequently remeasured unless
conditions on which the award was granted are modified.
On 8 December 2023, 150,000 LTIP options were granted with an exercise price of £4.96 ($6.23).
The fair value of these options has been measured using the Black-Scholes model. The principal
assumptions were:
Exercise price
£4.96
Share price
£4.87
Expected life
3 years
Risk free interest rate
4.3%
Expected volatility
43.8%
Expected dividend yield
0%
Expected volatility is measured over a three-year period immediately prior to the date of the
grant.
The remaining nil-cost share options granted in the year have no market performance conditions
associated with them and so fair value is deemed to be the share price at date of grant. The
weighted average fair value per option granted during the year was $6.00 (FY23: $9.21). The
resulting fair value which is expensed over the service period is adjusted, based on management’s
best estimate, for a percentage of employees that will leave the Group. The fair value of the
performance options is reviewed at each balance sheet date and adjusted through the number of
options expected to vest.
22. Financial instruments
The Group is exposed to risks that arise from its use of financial instruments. This note describes
the Group’s objectives, policies and processes for managing those risks and the methods used to
measure them. The significant accounting policies are disclosed in note 1.
Financial instruments by category
Restated
30 September
30 September
2024
2023
$000
$000
Financial assets held at amortised cost
Trade and other receivables (excluding prepayments)
16,064
16,786
Contract assets
1,499
1,856
Cash and cash equivalents
6,826
10,416
24,389
29,058
Financial liabilities held at amortised cost
Trade and other payables (excluding non-financial liabilities)
(8,243)
(23,649)
Contract liabilities
(1,639)
(1,851)
Loans and borrowings
(121,483)
(148,611)
(131,365)
(174,111)
Financial risk management
The Group’s activities and the existence of the above financial instruments expose it to a variety
of financial risks. The Board has overall responsibility for the determination of the Group’s risk
management objectives and policies. The overall objective of the Board is to set policies that seek
to reduce ongoing risk as far as possible without unduly affecting the Group’s competitiveness
and flexibility.
22. Financial instruments
continued
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued
174
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
The Group is exposed to the following financial risks:
Credit risk
The Group’s exposure to credit risk arises from cash and cash equivalents, as well as outstanding
receivables (note 14).
The Group’s cash and cash equivalents are all held on deposit with leading international banks
and hence the Directors consider the credit risk associated with such balances to be low. It is
the Group’s policy that banks and financial institutions with a minimum rating of ‘A’ are accepted.
If a bank rating is downgraded the business is required to move banks as soon as practicably
possible.
The Group provides credit to customers in the normal course of business. The amounts presented
in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position in relation to the Group’s trade receivables
are presented net of loss allowances. The Group measures loss allowances at an amount equal
to the lifetime expected credit losses using both qualitative and quantitative information
and analysis based on the Group’s historical experience and forward-looking information.
During FY24 there was a charge to the Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss of $2.2m
(FY23: credit of $0.2m) to increase the loss allowance and write off uncollectible amounts.
See note 14 for further details about trade receivables including movements in loss provisions.
The carrying amount of financial assets recorded in the financial statements, which is net
of impairment losses, represents the Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk.
Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk arises from the Group’s management of working capital and the amount of funding
required for growth. It is the risk that the Group will encounter difficulty in meeting its financial
obligations as they fall due. The Group manages its cash and borrowing requirements through
preparation of annual cash flow forecasts reflecting known commitments and anticipated
projects in order to maximise interest income and minimise interest expense, whilst ensuring that
the Group has sufficient liquid resources to meet the operating needs of the Group. Borrowing
facilities are arranged as necessary to finance requirements.
The table below analyses the Group’s financial liabilities based on the period remaining to the
contractual maturity dates at the reporting date. The amounts disclosed in the table are the
carrying amounts and undiscounted net contractual cash flows.
Carrying
Contractual
Due less
Between 1
amount
cash flows
than 1 year
and 5 years
Over 5 years
2024
$000
$000
$000
$000
$000
Loans and borrowings
121,483
122,772
23,686
99,086
Trade and other payables
8,243
8,243
8,243
Contract liabilities
1,639
1,639
1,639
30 September 2024
131,365
132,654
33,568
99,086
Carrying
Contractual
Due less
Between 1
amount
cash flows
than 1 year
and 5 years
Over 5 years
2023 (restated)
$000
$000
$000
$000
$000
Loans and borrowings
148,611
150,392
16,335
134,057
Trade and other payables
23,649
23,649
23,649
Contract liabilities
1,851
1,851
1,851
30 September 2023
174,111
175,892
41,835
134,057
Foreign exchange risk
Foreign exchange risk is the risk that movements in exchange rates affect the profitability of
the business. The Group’s policy is, where possible, to allow Group entities to settle liabilities
denominated in their local functional currency (primarily pound sterling, US dollars or euro) with
the cash generated from their own operations in that currency.
The Group earns revenue and incurs costs in local currencies and is able to manage foreign
exchange risk by matching the currency in which revenue is generated and expenses are incurred.
Movements in the exchange rate of the pound sterling and the euro against US dollar have an
impact on both the result for the period and equity.
The carrying amounts of the Group’s foreign currency denominated monetary assets and
monetary liabilities at the reporting date are as follows:
Restated
30 September
30 September
2024
2023
$000
$000
Net foreign currency monetary assets/(liabilities)
Pound sterling
845
(3,318)
Euros
665
152
The following table details the Group’s sensitivity to a 10% (FY23: 10%) strengthening and
weakening in US dollar against the pound sterling and euro. The sensitivity analysis includes only
foreign currency denominated monetary items and adjusts their translation at the period end for
a 10% change in foreign currency rates. Where the US dollar strengthens 10% (FY23: 10%) against
the relevant currency, a negative number below indicates an increase in profit in the Consolidated
Statement of Profit or Loss and the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity and a positive
number indicates a decrease in profit in the Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and the
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity. For a 10% (FY23: 10%) weakening in US dollar against
the relevant currency, there would be an equal and opposite impact on the profit in the
Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity.
22. Financial instruments
continued
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued
175
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Restated
Year ended
Year ended
30 September
30 September
2024
2023
$000
$000
Pound sterling
Change in profit for the year in Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss
(130)
(283)
Change in profit in Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
(85)
332
Euro
Change in profit for the year in Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss
(58)
(10)
Change in profit in Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
(9)
(5)
Deferred tax on unrealised foreign exchange differences arises from US holding companies with
pound sterling as their functional currency for the Consolidated Financial Statements but
US dollar functional currency under US tax rules (see note 9). Under the US tax basis these
holding companies incurred an unrealised foreign exchange loss of $30.6m on intra-group loans
denominated in pound sterling totalling £246.2m (FY23: gain of $34.6m on intra-group loans of
£295.6m). Unrealised foreign exchange differences are not taxable until realised, giving rise to
deferred tax. Movements in the exchange rate of the US dollar against sterling have an impact on
the result for the period. A 10% strengthening or weakening in pound sterling against the US dollar
would result in an decrease or increase in the profit in the Consolidated Statement of Profit or
Loss of $7.6m (FY23: $7.6m). On 25 September 2024, the intra-group loan was redenominated into
US dollars and a loss of $0.7m realised. From this date there is no foreign exchange exposure on
this loan and deferred tax liability at 30 September 2024 is $nil.
Net investment hedge
In June 2022, the Senior Term Facility was designated as a hedge of the net investment in the US
dollar denominated subsidiaries. There was no ineffectiveness recorded from the net investment
in foreign entity hedges.
Restated
30 September
30 September
2024
2023
$000
$000
Net investment hedge
Loans and borrowings
121,483
148,611
Pound sterling carrying amount of Senior Term Facility
£90,833
£121,830
Hedge ratio
1:1
1:1
Change in carrying amount of Senior Term Facility as a result of
foreign currency movements recognised in Consolidated Statement
of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income or Loss
13,019
14,478
Change in value of hedged item used to determine hedge effectiveness
(13,019)
(14,478)
Interest rate risk
The Group was exposed to interest rate risk during the year because entities in the Group
borrowed funds at floating interest rates. There were loans of $121.5m outstanding at
30 September 2024 (FY23: $148.6m).
The sensitivity analyses below have been determined based on the exposure to interest rates. For
floating rate liabilities, the analysis is prepared assuming the amount of liability outstanding at the
reporting date was outstanding for the whole period.
If interest rates had been 200bps higher/lower and all other variables were held constant, the
Group’s profit for the year ended 30 September 2024 would increase or decrease by $1.9m (FY23:
$2.8m). This is mainly attributable to the Group’s exposure on its variable rate Senior Term Facility
and Revolving Credit Facility.
Capital risk management
The Group’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Group’s ability to continue as
a going concern and to maintain an optimal capital structure which provides an adequate return
to shareholders. The Group sets the amount of capital it requires in proportion to risk. The Group
manages its capital structure and adjusts it in the light of changes in economic conditions and the
risk characteristics of the underlying assets. In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure,
the Group may adjust the amount of dividends paid to shareholders, return capital to
shareholders, issue new shares, or sell assets to reduce debt.
22. Financial instruments
continued
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued
176
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Fair value of financial instruments
The fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities are determined in accordance with IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement as follows:
Level 1
The fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities with standard terms and conditions and traded on active liquid markets is determined with reference to quoted market prices.
Level 2
The fair value of other financial assets and financial liabilities (excluding derivative instruments) is determined in accordance with generally accepted pricing models based on discounted cash flow
analysis using prices from observable current market transactions and dealer quotes for similar instruments.
Level 3
If one or more significant inputs are not based on observable market data, the instrument is included in level 3.
There are no financial instruments classified as level 3.
Financing activities
The movements in assets/(liabilities) arising from financing activities are as follows:
Restated
Arising on
Other non-cash
Exchange
30 September
1 October 2023
acquisition
movements
Cash flow
differences
2024
2024
$000
$000
$000
$000
$000
$000
Cash and cash equivalents
10,416
(3,718)
128
6,826
Lease receivable
428
(141)
287
Total financing assets
10,416
428
(3,859)
128
7,113
Bank loans
(148,611)
(13,116)
40,109
135
(121,483)
Lease liabilities
(3,971)
(320)
1,030
(174)
(3,435)
Total financing liabilities
(152,582)
(13,436)
41,139
(39)
(124,918)
Arising on
Other non-cash
Exchange
30 September
1 October 2022
acquisition
movements
Cash flow
differences
2023
2023 (restated)
$000
$000
$000
$000
$000
$000
Cash and cash equivalents
57,876
(48,319)
859
10,416
Total financing assets
57,876
(48,319)
859
10,416
Bank loans
(201,997)
(13,597)
66,811
172
(148,611)
Lease liabilities
(2,055)
(528)
(2,534)
1,196
(50)
(3,971)
Total financing liabilities
(204,052)
(528)
(16,131)
68,007
122
(152,582)
Other non-cash movements include accrued finance costs, amortisation of finance costs and additions to lease receivable and liabilities.
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued
177
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
23. Related party transactions
In FY24, the Group paid rent of $122,700 (FY23: $80,000) to McQuade Enterprises LLC, a company
owned by the previous owners of ESN. There were other no related party transactions.
Key management personnel compensation
The Group has determined that the key management personnel constitute the Board and the
members of the Senior Management Team.
Restated
Year ended
Year ended
30 September
30 September
2024
2023
$000
$000
Short-term employee benefits
2,757
3,907
Post-employment benefits
83
75
Share-based payment expense
2,536
4,797
Total key management personnel compensation
5,376
8,779
Remuneration of Directors
Further details of the Directors’ remuneration and share options are set out in the Remuneration
Committee Report on pages 107 to 125. The total amounts for Directors’ remuneration were
as follows:
Restated
Year ended
Year ended
30 September
30 September
2024
2023
$000
$000
Short-term employee benefits
1,131
1,269
Non-Executive Directors’ fees
497
410
Post-employment benefits
66
59
Share-based payment expense
569
1,994
Total Directors’ remuneration
2,263
3,732
24. Events aſter the balance sheet date
There were no other events after the balance sheet date.
25. List of subsidiaries
In accordance with section 409 of the Companies Act 2006, a full list of subsidiaries, the
registered office and the effective percentage of equity owned included in these Consolidated
Financial Statements at 30 September 2024 are disclosed below.
Subsidiary
Principal
Proportion
undertakings
Registered office
activity
held
ATG Media Holdings
The Harlequin Building, 65 Southwark Street,
Holding company
100%
Limited
London, SE1 0HR, United Kingdom
ATG Nominees
The Harlequin Building, 65 Southwark Street,
Dormant*
100%
Limited
London, SE1 0HR, United Kingdom
ATG US Holdings Inc.
251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, Delaware,
Holding company
100%
19808, United States
ATG US Holdings
The Harlequin Building, 65 Southwark Street,
Holding company
100%
Limited
London, SE1 0HR, United Kingdom
Auction Bidco
The Harlequin Building, 65 Southwark Street,
Holding company
100%
Limited
London, SE1 0HR, United Kingdom
Auction Fluency
The Harlequin Building, 65 Southwark Street,
Dormant*
100%
Limited
London, SE1 0HR, United Kingdom
Auction Holdco
The Harlequin Building, 65 Southwark Street,
Holding company
100%
Limited
London, SE1 0HR, United Kingdom
Auction Midco
The Harlequin Building, 65 Southwark Street,
Dormant
100%
Limited
London, SE1 0HR, United Kingdom
Auction Mobility LLC
251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, Delaware,
Provision of auction
100%
19808, United States
trading software
Auction Payment
233 South 13th Street Suite 1900, Lincoln,
Dormant
100%
Network LLC
Nebraska, 68508, United States
Auction Technology
Grosse Backerstrasse 9, 20095, Hamburg,
Provision of auction
100%
Group Germany
Germany
marketplaces
GmbH
ATG Mexico Holdings
The Harlequin Building, 65 Southwark Street,
Holding company
100%
Limited (previously
London, SE1 0HR, United Kingdom
known as Auction
Technology Group UK
Holdings Limited)
Auction Topco
The Harlequin Building, 65 Southwark Street,
Dormant
100%
Limited
London, SE1 0HR, United Kingdom
LiveAuctioneers LLC
80 State Street, Albany, New York, 12207-2543,
Provision of auction
100%
United States
marketplaces
Metropress Limited
The Harlequin Building, 65 Southwark Street,
Provision of auction
100%
London, SE1 0HR, United Kingdom
marketplaces
25. List of subsidiaries
continued
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
continued
178
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Subsidiary
Principal
Proportion
undertakings
Registered office
activity
held
Auction Technology
Severo Diaz 38, Int. E, Colonia Ladron de
Shared service
100%
Group Mexico
Guevara, CP 44600, Guadalajara, Jalisco
centre
S.A. DE C.V.
México
Peddars
The Harlequin Building, 65 Southwark Street,
Dormant*
100%
Management Limited
London, SE1 0HR, United Kingdom
Proxibid Inc.
1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware,
Provision of auction
100%
19801, United States
marketplaces
Proxibid UK Limited
The Harlequin Building, 65 Southwark Street,
Dormant
100%
London, SE1 0HR, United Kingdom
Turner Bidco Limited
The Harlequin Building, 65 Southwark Street,
Dormant
100%
London, SE1 0HR, United Kingdom
Turner Topco Limited The Harlequin Building, 65 Southwark Street,
Dormant
100%
London, SE1 0HR, United Kingdom
Vintage Software
221 Bolivar Street, Jefferson City, Missouri,
Provision of auction
100%
LLC
65101, United States
marketplaces
All holdings of subsidiaries are of ordinary shares. In addition, there are 100% preference shares
held in Auction Topco Limited.
* The United Kingdom dormant companies listed above are exempt from preparing individual
accounts and from filing with the registrar individual accounts by virtue of Sections 394 and 448
of the Companies Act 2006 respectively.
For the year ended 30 September 2024, the following subsidiary undertakings of the Group were
exempt from the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to the audit of individual
accounts by virtue of Section 479A of the Companies Act 2006.
Company
Company registration number
ATG Media Holdings Limited
06521301
ATG US Holdings Limited
15024003
Auction Bidco Limited
12401140
Auction Holdco Limited
12400986
Auction Midco Limited
12400881
ATG Mexico Holdings Limited (previously known as Auction
Technology Group UK Holdings Limited)
06636047
Auction Topco Limited
12400807
Proxibid UK Limited
09023785
Turner Bidco Limited
08968359
Turner Topco Limited
08968154
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
179
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Note
30 September
2024
£000
Restated
30 September
2023
£000
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Investments
5
270,351
270,351
Trade and other receivables
6
274,312
257,155
Deferred tax asset
9
256
432
Total non-current assets
544,919
527,938
Current assets
Trade and other receivables
6
201
314
Cash and cash equivalents
7
38
32
Total current assets
239
346
Total assets
545,158
528,284
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
8
(3,357)
(1,589)
Tax liability
(40)
Total current liabilities
(3,357)
(1,629)
Total liabilities
(3,357)
(1,629)
Net assets
541,801
526,655
EQUITY
Share capital
10
12
12
Share premium
10
236,235
236,231
Other reserve
10
238,389
238,389
Capital redemption reserve
10
5
5
Share option reserve
10
22,555
23,485
Retained earnings
44,605
28,533
Total equity
541,801
526,655
As permitted by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, no separate Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income or Loss is presented in respect of the parent Company. The profit
for the year attributable to the shareholders of the Company and recorded through the accounts of the Company was £10.0m (FY23: £6.3m).
The Company Statement of Financial Position has been restated to separate the deferred tax asset and current tax liability previously included in trade and other receivables and trade and other
payables respectively.
The Company Financial Statements on pages 179 to 183 were approved by the Board of Directors on 26 November 2024 and signed on its behalf by:
John-Paul Savant
Tom Hargreaves
Company Statement of Financial Position
as at 30 September 2024
Company registration number 13141124
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
180
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Share
capital
£000
Share
premium
£000
Other
reserve
£000
Capital
redemption
reserve
£000
Share
option
reserve
£000
Retained
earnings/
(losses)
£000
Total
£000
1 October 2022
12
235,903
238,389
5
34,690
4,541
513,540
Comprehensive income
Profit and total comprehensive income for the period
6,273
6,273
Transactions with owners
Shares issued
328
328
Share-based payments
(11,205)
17,719
6,514
30 September 2023
12
236,231
238,389
5
23,485
28,533
526,655
Comprehensive income
Profit and total comprehensive income for the year
10,023
10,023
Transactions with owners
Shares issued
4
4
Share-based payments
(930)
6,049
5,119
30 September 2024
12
236,235
238,389
5
22,555
44,605
541,801
Company Statement of Changes in Equity
for the year ended 30 September 2024
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
181
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
1. Accounting policies
The following accounting policies have been applied consistently in dealing with items which are
considered material in relation to the Company’s financial statements.
General information
Auction Technology Group plc (the “Company”) is a company incorporated in the United Kingdom
under the Companies Act.
The Company is a public company limited by shares and is registered in England and Wales.
The registered office of the Company can be found on page 145.
The principal activity of the Company is to act as an investment holding company that provides
management services to its subsidiaries.
Basis of preparation
These financial statements present information about the Company as an individual undertaking and
not about its Group. These financial statements have been prepared under the historic cost convention
unless otherwise specified within these accounting policies and in accordance with Financial Reporting
Standard 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework (“FRS 101”) and the Companies Act 2006.
In preparing these financial statements, the Company applies the recognition, measurement and
disclosure requirements of the UK-adopted International Accounting Standards (“UK-adopted IAS”)
but makes amendments where necessary in order to comply with the Companies Act 2006 and
has set out below where advantage of the FRS 101 disclosure exemptions has been taken.
In these financial statements, the Company has applied the exemptions available under FRS 101
in respect of the following disclosures:
a Cash Flow Statement and related notes;
disclosures in respect of transactions with wholly owned subsidiaries;
disclosures in respect of share-based payments;
disclosures in respect of capital management;
the effects of new but not yet effective IFRSs;
the requirements of paragraphs 17 and 18A of IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures, including
disclosures in respect of the compensation of key management personnel;
the requirements of paragraphs 130(f)(ii), 130(f)(iii), 134(d) to 134(f) and 135(c) to 135(e) of IAS 36
“Impairment of Assets”; and
a separate Statement of Profit or Loss in line with the Section 408 exemption.
Where required, equivalent disclosures are given in the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Company has no other related party transactions other than the compensation of key
management personnel, set out in note 23 of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The principal accounting policies adopted are the same as those set out in note 1 to the
Consolidated Financial Statements except as noted below.
Foreign currency
Functional and presentational currency
The Company’s functional and presentational currency is pounds sterling.
Share-based payments
The Company had three share-based payment plans in effect in FY24, as set out in note 21 of the
Consolidated Financial Statements and the Directors’ Remuneration Report.
Investments
In the Company’s financial statements, investments in subsidiary undertakings are stated at cost
less provision for any impairment in value.
Impairment of investments
The Company evaluates its investments for financial impairment where events or circumstances
indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be fully recoverable. When such evaluations
indicate that the carrying value of an asset exceeds its recoverable value, an impairment is recorded.
2. Significant accounting judgements and estimates
The preparation of financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates
and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts
of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
Judgements and estimates made by the Directors in the application of these accounting policies
that have significant effect on these financial statements and estimates with a significant risk
of material adjustment in the next financial year are set out below. Estimates and underlying
assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised
in the year in which the estimate is revised and in any future years affected. There are no
significant estimates or judgements in the Company Financial Statements.
Notes to the Company Financial Statements
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
182
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
3. Staff costs
The Company has no employees other than the Directors. The monthly average number
of persons employed by the Company during the year amounted to two (FY23: two). Details
of Directors’ remuneration are set out in the Directors’ Remuneration Report.
4. Auditor’s remuneration
The Company has incurred audit fees of £17,000 (FY23: £15,000) for the year.
5. Investments
30 September
2024
£000
30 September
2023
£000
1 October and 30 September
270,351
270,351
The Company’s market capitalisation of £511.6m on 30 September 2024 was less than total of
the cost of investments and amounts owed by Group undertakings of £544.7m. The Company
evaluated its investments for impairment and concluded that no impairment was required. The
basis of the calculation, key assumptions and estimates used for the impairment assessment can
be found in note 12 of the Consolidated Financial Statements. No reasonable change in assumption
would result in an impairment. Details of the principal subsidiary undertakings of the Company at
30 September 2024 can be found in note 25 of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
6. Trade and other receivables
30 September
2024
£000
30 September
2023
£000
Current
Other debtors and prepayments
201
314
Non-current
Amounts owed by Group undertakings
274,312
257,155
274,513
257,469
Non-current amounts owed by Group undertakings is a loan with interest rate of 5.5% and
repayable in September 2029.
7. Cash and cash equivalents
30 September
2024
£000
30 September
2023
£000
Cash at bank
38
32
8. Trade and other payables
30 September
2024
£000
30 September
2023
£000
Trade payables
266
530
Amounts owed to Group undertakings
2,504
Payroll tax and other statutory liabilities
154
319
Accruals
433
740
3,357
1,589
9. Deferred tax asset
30 September
2024
£000
30 September
2023
£000
1 October
432
229
Amount credited/(charged) to profit
(176)
203
30 September
256
432
The deferred tax asset is made up of temporary differences related to share options. The
Directors are of the opinion that based on recent and forecast trading it is probable that the level
of profits in future years is sufficient for the deferred tax assets to be recovered.
Notes to the Company Financial Statements
continued
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
183
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
10. Share capital and reserves
30 September
2024
£000
30 September
2023
£000
Authorised, called up and fully paid
121,819,130 ordinary shares at 0.01p each (FY23: 121,491,412 ordinary
shares at 0.01p each)
12
12
Further details of movements in share capital and reserves are outlined in note 20 of the
Consolidated Financial Statements.
Reserves
The following describes the nature and purpose of each reserve within equity:
Retained earnings
represent the profits/(losses) of the Company made in current and
preceding years.
Other reserve
comprises:
a merger reserve that arose on the Group reorganisation on 13 January 2020
and is the adjustment of the comparative and current year consolidated
reserves of the Group to reflect the statutory share capital and share
premium of Auction Technology Group plc as if it had always existed; and
share premium, net of share issue costs, recognised in the other reserve
in accordance with section 612 of the Companies Act 2006 for the equity
raise on 17 June 2021 via a cashbox placing.
Capital redemption
reserve
arose on the redemption or purchase of the Company’s own shares. The
Company issued shares directly to the Trust of 275,876 during the year and
held 24,280 as at 30 September 2024 (FY23: 210,475).
Share option reserve
relates to share options awarded and options granted for the FY22
acquisition of LiveAuctioneers (see note 20 and 21 of the Consolidated
Financial Statements). Equity-settled share-based payments made
available to employees of the Company’s subsidiaries are treated as
increases in equity over the vesting period of the award with a
corresponding charge to the Company’s subsidiaries.
11. Post balance sheet events
There were no other events after the balance sheet date.
Notes to the Company Financial Statements
continued
A&A
Arts & Antiques
atgAMP
the Group’s auctioneer marketing programme
atgPay
the Group’s integrated payment solution
atg Partner Network
the Group’s partnerships with other Industrial & Commercial sites, which
enables an auctioneer to cross-list on these sites
atgShip
the Group’s integrated shipping solution
atgXL
the Group’s cross-listing solution enabling auctioneers to simultaneously
run timed auctions across ATG marketplaces and ATG white label
Auction Mobility
Auction Mobility LLC
Bidder sessions
web sessions on the Group’s marketplaces online within a given
timeframe
BidSpoer
the Group’s marketplace operated via the www.BidSpotter.co.uk and
www.BidSpotter.com domain
Big 4
Christie’s, Sotheby’s, Phillips and Bonhams A&A auction houses
EBITDA
earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation
ESN
the Group’s marketplace operated via the www.EstateSales.NET domain
GMV
gross merchandise value, representing the total final sale value of all lots
sold via winning bids placed on the marketplaces or the platform, excluding
additional fees (such as online fees and auctioneers’ commissions) and
sales of retail jewellery (being new, or nearly new, jewellery)
i-bidder
the Group’s marketplace operated by the www.i-bidder.com domain
I&C
Industrial & Commercial
LiveAuctioneers
the Group’s marketplace operated via the www.liveauctioneers.com domain
Lot-tissimo
the Group’s marketplace operated via the www.lot-tissimo.com domain
LTIP Awards
the Company’s Long-term Incentive Plan
Marketplaces
the online auction marketplaces operated by the Group
Conversion rate
represents GMV as a percentage of THV; previously called ‘online share’
Organic revenue
shows the current period results excluding the acquisition of ESN on 6
February 2023. Organic revenue is shown on a constant currency basis
using average exchange rates for the current financial period applied to
the comparative period and is used to eliminate the effects of
fluctuations in assessing performance
Proxibid
the Group’s marketplace operated via the www.proxibid.com domain
The Saleroom
the Group’s marketplace operated via the www.the-saleroom.com domain
Take rate
represents the Group’s marketplace revenue, excluding EstateSales.NET,
as a percentage of GMV. Marketplace revenue is the Group’s reported
revenue excluding Content and Auction Services revenue
THV
total hammer value, representing the total final sale value of all lots
listed on the marketplaces or the platform, excluding additional fees
(such as online fees and auctioneers’ commissions) and sales of retail
jewellery (being new, or nearly new, jewellery)
Timed auctions
auctions which are held entirely online (with no in-room or telephone
bidders) and where lots are only made available to online bidders for a
specific, pre-determined timeframe
Glossary
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
184
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
Advisers:
Joint financial advisers
Deutsche Numis
45 Gresham Street
London EC2V 7BF
J.P. Morgan Securities plc
25 Bank Street
Canary Wharf
London
E14 5JP
Legal advisers to the Company
Travers Smith LLP
10 Snow Hill
London
EC1A 2AL
Auditor
Ernst and Young LLP
2 Blagrave Street
Reading
RG1 1AZ
Public relations advisers to the Company
Teneo Communications
5th Floor
6 More London Place
London
SE1 2DA
Shareholder Information
Company website
The Company’s website at www.auctiontechnologygroup.com contains the latest information
for shareholders.
Annual General Meeting
The 2025 AGM will be held on Thursday 30 January 2025 at 2:00pm at the offices of Travers Smith
LLP, 10 Snow Hill, London EC1A 2AL. The AGM provides the Board with the opportunity to engage
with shareholders. Full details of the business to be considered at the meeting will be included
in the Notice of Annual General Meeting. The Notice of Meeting and all other details for the AGM
will be available on the Company’s website, www.auctiontechnologygroup.com.
Share price information
The latest price of the Company’s ordinary shares is available on www.londonstockexchange.com.
ATG’s ticker symbol is ATG.
Registrar
The Company’s Registrars is Equiniti Limited
Equiniti provide a range of services to shareholders.
Extensive information including many answers
to frequently asked questions can be found online.
Use the QR code to register for FREE at
www.shareview.co.uk
Equiniti’s registered address is:
Aspect House, Spencer Road, Lancing, West Sussex, BN99 6DA
Electronic communications
If you would like to receive all shareholder information such as the Annual Report and Notice of
Meeting via our website and receive a notification by email each time new information is available,
please register for electronic communications at www.shareview.co.uk.
Investor relations
investorrelations@auctiontechnologygroup.com
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance
Financial Statements
Further Information
185
Auction Technology Group plc
Annual Report 2024
www.auctiontechnologygroup.com