Mercia Asset Management PLC is pleased to announce its Interim Results for the six months ended 30 September 2023.
Continuing profitable progress and a strong balance sheet, underpins a 6% increase in the interim dividend and a share buyback of up to £5.0million
FY24 Interim Results presentation
Mercia has never been financially stronger. The first six months of FY24 have witnessed record revenues derived predominantly from Mercia’s profitable and cash generative third-party fund management operations. Mercia is now firmly established as a leading provider of private capital across venture, debt and private equity.
– Dr Mark Payton, Chief Executive Officer – Mercia
CEO's Review
There currently exists strong growth potential in Mercia’s managed funds’ operation across all three pools of private capital. With our focus on scaling the profitable delivery of our fund management operations, we anticipate continued momentum through the remainder of the current financial year and beyond.
Consistent with recent years, we continue to build a sustainable growing business whilst maintaining a strong cash position at all times.
CIO's Review
During the six months to 30 September 2023, we invested c.£111million into 83 businesses across our funds and balance sheet. This included 40 companies new to Mercia’s third-party managed funds. At the end of the period, we had c.£383million of liquidity to support our future investment activities.
Our progress continues with c.£111million invested in the first half, matched favourably with c.£52million of realisations across our equity portfolios.
CFO's Review
From a fund management profitability perspective, during the six months to 30 September 2023, Mercia was able to maintain its prior year momentum and absorb the inflationary challenges affecting the UK economy in general, and more specifically the financial services sector.
The profitability of the Group’s fund management operations, together with opportunities for future growth, underpin the Group’s progressive dividend policy.
Recent exits
nDreams
The growth of virtual reality
Mercia TV sits down with nDreams CEO and Founder, Patrick O’Luanaigh, where he tells us all about the inception of the company, what it was like producing the incredible Ghostbusters VR, its expansion, the current VR market and what the future has in store for the Farnborough-based company.
Evotix
Acquisition will help create world-class HSE solution
Watch as CEO, Matthew Elson tells this fascinating growth story of EVOTIX and further details what the acquisition means for the business in the years ahead.
Mercia’s Northern VCTs initially invested in SHE Software in 2018, and that was followed by subsequent rounds of investment in 2020 and 2022.
Recent investments
Camena Bioscience
Rewriting DNA synthesis technology
Based in Cambridge, Camena Bioscience produces long and complex synthetic genes using a pioneering new technology. Our approach provides a significant advancement in gene synthesis accuracy.
Steve Harvey (CEO and Co-founder) and James Richardson (VP of R&D) talk us through its bespoke product and processes, and how the backing of Mercia Ventures has helped them rapidly scale.
J’s Cycles
Inspiring the next generation of cyclists
Founder and CEO, James Wagner has a mission. That mission is to provide and promote quality, innovative and inspiring cycling products.
James tells us a little more how Mercia Debt funding has helped his business to grow in Leeds.