Share Capital
During the year, 259,685 new shares were issued (2024: no new shares were issued). Of these, 149,686 shares were issued via conversion of the Convertible Bonds into equity, whilst 109,999 shares were issued from new investment. In accordance with the Company’s accounting policy on financial instruments, £1,089,716 was reclassified from other reserves to share premium upon the conversion of the related debt instruments into equity.
On 17 March 2025, the Company purchased its own 9,000 deferred shares. These shares were immediately cancelled upon acquisition. As a result, the total number of issued deferred shares was reduced to nil.
Share Option Scheme
At the year end date, 54,644 (2024: 34,648) options over ordinary shares were outstanding. Of these, 11,522 (2024: 11,522) options have an exercise price of £22.00 per share, 42,410 (2024: nil) options have an exercise price of £30.00 per share and 712 (2024: 23,126) options have an exercise price of £46.00 per share.
Of these outstanding 54,644 options:
• 20,071 had vested in the year to 31st March 2025
• 17,062 will vest in the year to 31st March 2026
• 7,478 will vest in the year to 31st March 2027
• 10,033 will vest in the year to 31st March 2028
43,923 (2024: 7,172) new options over ordinary shares were granted during the reporting period. 43,411 (2024: nil) had an exercise price of £30.00 per share and 512 (2024: 7,172) had an exercise price of £46.00 per share.
Nil (2024: nil) options with an exercise price of £22/share lapsed during the year, 1,001 (2024: nil) options with an exercise price of £30/share lapsed during the year and 22,926 (2024: 14,232) options with an exercise price of £46/share lapsed during the year.
Following an assessment by the directors, there was no share-based payments expense recognised in the Profit & Loss Account on the grant of options (2024: Nil).