The company operates two equity based share option schemes (an approved EMI and an unapproved scheme) to certain employees which provide additional remuneration for those employees who are key to the company. The options expire ten years after the date of the grant. Employees are not entitled to dividends until the shares are exercised. All options granted have performance conditions relating to the relevant employee remaining in the employment of the company at exercise.
A reconciliation of share option movements during the year ended 31 December 2024 is shown below:
Number of options - weighted average exercise price
Granted prior to 1 January 2024: 274,626 - £0.02
Granted during the year: 55,327 - £0.02
Forfeited during the year: (10,650) - £0.02
Exercised during the year: (9,872) - £0.02
Outstanding as at 31 December 2024: 309,431 - £0.02
The company is unable to directly measure the fair value of the share options. Instead the fair value of the share options granted during the year is determined using the Black-Scholes model. The model is internationally recognised as being appropriate to value share option schemes similar to that of the company.
Equity settled schemes - charges arising: £31,240 (2023: £77,989)