Chairman’s message

Harvest Technology p.l.c. ended the financial year 2021 above the targets set out in the IPO prospectus, despite having to navigate challenges during the ongoing Covid crisis which limited our ability to grow our international business and footprint as we had planned to do. This said, the Group has laid significant groundwork to ensure that in 2022, its international portfolio grows and the business continues to diversify.

I am pleased to report that the Board and its various sub-committees continue to function well, providing the right level of challenge as well as support to the CEO and the senior executives of the respective subsidiaries. Through targeted headhunting, and continuous training, the Group has strengthened its management teams in all its subsidiaries, to not only extend the range and quality of services we can provide, but also to ensure business continuity. In 2022, we will continue to recruit additional talent across the organisation.

2021 marked the end of the three-year projections provided to the market as part of the IPO. The Board is working on strategic initiatives to improve cost efficiency, drive further growth in the existing businesses and also enter new segments of the technology space. These initiatives will see significant investment in the business to scale up the existing operations. We continue to believe that the market for digitalisation across all our services is poised to continue to grow for many years. We will continue to identify niches where we are competitive with the right skills and capacity that allows us to respond to our customers’ needs.

At Apco Systems, we will see further investment in the technology platforms, personnel and marketing as we roll out our service in Greece and other countries in the future. Over the last few years, PTL has established itself as a leading player in border control technology and is looking to expand this service, together with its partner IBM, in several countries on the African continent. This requires investment in personnel, training and marketing to expand its reach.  Apco Limited is seeing new opportunities to expand its product offering, particularly in the Electric Vehicle charging market, which is expected to grow significantly over the next decade. Apco signed a partnership agreement with a leading global Electric Vehicle charging brand and it will start launching products locally and internationally. Whilst all these investments will come at a cost in the short-term, we believe that it will strengthen our competitive position and geographic reach in the long-term. 

Over the years, the Company has built a strong balance sheet with a net cash position. The board has increased its focus on investment opportunities, both in start-ups but also of bolt-on acquisitions to strengthen the position of each of the subsidiaries.

As part of the aforementioned review of the strategic initiatives, the board is also reviewing the dividend policy that was set out in the IPO prospectus which was based on a 4% dividend yield. In the years 2019 to 2021, the Company distributed an average dividend per share equal to 6c per share, which equates to an average dividend payout ratio of 53%. Following the completion of the above-mentioned strategic review, the Board will propose the new dividend policy.

Although we remain optimistic for the future, we are cognisant of the increasing challenges, particularly due to Covid-19 related travel restrictions, impact on Malta due to the grey-listing, geopolitical tensions between Russia and Ukraine, supply-chain issues and rising inflation.

On behalf of the Board, I would like to take the opportunity to thank the outgoing chairman, Professor Juanito Camilleri, for his important work over the last seven years.

Mr Keith Busuttil

Chairman

8 April 2022

Chief Executive Officer’s overview

Welcome to Harvests' Annual report for the year 2021. This is the third annual report since Harvest Technology p.l.c. was listed on the Malta Stock Exchange. 

Harvest Technology p.l.c. is a Group with a diversified portfolio of technology businesses – today comprised of PTL Limited, APCO Limited, APCO Systems Limited and Ipsyon Limited. We deliver impactful and intuitive solutions to derive seamless outcomes and customer satisfaction in a myriad of sectors including banking, aviation, pharmaceuticals, state agencies, gaming, retail, and many more. 

Notwithstanding the continued adversities that 2021 challenged the Group with, it is with great pride that I can announce that the team at Harvest Technology p.l.c. has delivered a robust performance during 2021. Furthermore, with the Board’s direction, management synergies, portfolio diversity, unmatched workforce capability and aptitude, we keep being very well positioned to keep delivering on our objectives and performance as we go forward. 

For 2021, the Group registered a profit after tax of € 2.7m compared to € 2.2m projected in the IPO referred to above and delivered the amount of dividend indicated in the IPO.

When it comes to the Payment landscape, APCO Systems’ service offering connects merchants to over 200+ payment methods and 40+ financial institutions globally. The payment gateway is at the core of APCO Systems, and the team continues to invest heavily in it to make sure that we can offer the latest payment methods in the market. We continuously incorporate additional and alternative payment methods, also focusing on account-to-account payments which are increasingly gaining market traction. During 2021, we also successfully worked with our partners to make sure we delivered a seamless implementation of 3DS 2.0 to meet the changing requirements of the market.  Our investment in both key personnel and the platform will continue in 2022 to ensure that this remains a cutting-edge solution in the payment space.

During the financial year under review the total transaction value in Euros processed by the payment gateway increased. To this extent the processing fee income for 2021 earned from this revenue stream as received from our merchants increased by 23% from €2.8 million in 2020 to € 3.45 million in 2021. APCO Systems is expected to continue to generate increases in processing fees. In the case of commission receivable from partnering banks, Apco Systems is experiencing challenges to maintain the levels of commissions earned in previous years, as banks are increasingly reducing profit margins primarily due to the increased scrutiny surrounding the onboarding of clients with our partnering banks.

In 2021 we continued to make progress on our Greece initiative striking several strategic relationships which augur well for the future. Going forward, the Group will be evaluating the landscape around payment eco-systems to determine where Apco Systems should best position itself.

Looking at PTL, 2021 was a year of several targeted efforts. Despite travel restrictions, PTL has successfully completed the delivery of the Mauritius Police Advanced Passenger Analysis border security project remotely, commissioned into production in April 2021. PTL earned €4 million in revenue from the Advanced Passenger Analysis project in 2020, primarily through the delivery and installation of hardware equipment. Revenue from this project amounted to € 1.4 million in 2021, including revenue from software configuration services and the commencement of revenue from a five-year maintenance and support contract. The margins on services revenue are significantly higher, resulting in higher gross profit margins in 2021 when compared to 2020.

Towards the end of the year PTL was awarded another project in Mauritius, within the country’s Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development. This is further testimony of client satisfaction from the completed cross border project mentioned above which supports the recent decision to set up a presence in Mauritius and target new business opportunities. 2021 was also successful for PTL as other major projects were awarded in Malta, providing a healthy pipeline for 2022.

At APCO Limited, our security and automation businesses successfully delivered several key projects during 2021. We have successfully implemented a core access control project for a large client. Based on our strong relationship with the major local banks, the company has also implemented several leading-edge security solutions. The team has successfully continued to roll out its Fuel Management Software with the intent to explore internationalization opportunities. From a strategic perspective, we continue to focus on Electric Vehicle Charging Points and the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle space, engaging with key partners and vendors. During the year under review, despite the reduction in the COVID supplement, the company managed to increase its service offerings in new areas of technology and significantly increase profit for the year.

As part of its commitment to engage in bite sized investments, during July 2021, Harvest Group increased its investment in Tought3D Limited by € 99,977. Thought 3D Limited is involved in the advanced materials landscape - developing new materials and technologies to solve problems in additive manufacturing.

During the year under review, the group repaid its external debts in full and is therefore debt free. This, along with the healthy cash balance at year-end of approximately € 3 million puts the Group in a strong position to raise funds for any upcoming significant investments which the Group may consider.

Harvest employees are our greatest asset and truly amongst the best within the industry. It is only thanks to our employees that we can talk about and look back at our achievements. We continuously ensure that our employees are at the heart of our ongoing strategy.

Our continued investment in our people, in terms of both training and certification, allows us to ensure that our value proposition with international vendors stays at the foremost level, a commitment which has allowed the Group to be able to engage and handle large scale and complex solutions, alongside supporting services. It also ensures that our employees can keep enriching their professional capabilities, opportunities, and experience. 

Lastly, I cannot fail to mention the outgoing chairman Prof. Juanito Camilleri.  Juanito has been my mentor since I joined the Company 4 years ago and I would like to thank him publicly for all he has done for the Harvest Group.

Dr Godwin Caruana, PhD

Chief Executive Officer and Chief Technology Officer

8 April 2022

Directors’ report

The directors present their report together with the audited financial statements of Harvest Technology p.l.c. and the consolidated financial statements of the Group of which it is the parent, for the year ended 31 December 2021.

Principal activities

The principal activity of the parent Company is that of acting as a holding Company. 

The Group is mainly involved in the sale, maintenance and servicing of information technology solutions, security systems, and to provide electronic payments solutions.

Performance review

During the year under review, the Group registered an operating profit of € 4,007,506 (2020: € 4,643,232) on revenue of € 15,747,511 (2020: € 19,217,368). After accounting for net finance costs and taxation, the Group registered a profit for the year of € 2,693,519 (2020: € 3,040,659).

The Group’s net assets at the end of 2021 amounted to € 13,398,459 (2020: € 12,072,265).

The Company earned management fees and investment income of € 325,813 and € 4,442,525, respectively (2020: € 393,882 and € 3,277,208, respectively). After accounting for finance income, finance costs and administrative expenditure, the Company registered a profit after tax of € 2,286,300 (2020: € 1,809,807). The net assets of the Company at the end of 2021 amounted to € 12,992,832 (2020: € 12,073,378).

The Group measures the achievement of its objectives using the following other key performance indicators.

Financial

The Group’s current ratio (“current assets divided by current liabilities”) currently stands at 1.49:1 (2020: 1.42:1).

The Group measures its performance based on EBITDA. EBITDA is defined as the Group profit before depreciation, amortisation, net finance expense and taxation. During the year under review, EBITDA amounted to € 4,748,658 (2020: € 5,415,644).

The Group aims to deliver a return on average capital employed above the level of its cost of funding. The return on average capital employed represents the profit on ordinary activities before finance costs and exceptional items, divided by the average of opening and closing tangible net worth. The Company ensures that this capital is used as effectively as possible. The return on average capital employed amounted to 30% (2020: 38%).

The 2021 results of Harvest Technology p.l.c. Group, exceeded the projected financial results of the year as illustrated in the Prospectus dated 18 November 2019.

Non-financial

The directors note that the transaction value in Euros processed by the payment gateway, which remained the most important segment to the Group’s result, increased by 6% from € 535 million in 2020 to € 568 million in 2021. To this extent the contribution from processing fees for 2021 earned from this revenue stream as received from our merchants increased by 15%, as the margins earned from the increased traffic were above normal.

Principal risks and uncertainties

The successful management of risk is essential to enable the Group to achieve its objectives. The ultimate responsibility for risk management rests with the Company’s directors, who evaluate the Group’s risk appetite and formulate policies for identifying and managing such risks. The principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group are included below:

Market and competition

The Group operates in a highly competitive environment and faces competition from various other entities. Technological developments also can create new forms of quickly evolving competition. An effective, coherent and consistent strategy to respond to competitors and changing markets has enabled the Group to sustain its market share and its profitability. The Group continues to focus on service quality and performance in managing this risk.

Related to the above is the growing pressure on commissions that APCO Systems generates through its partnerships with various banks and the opportunity for this subsidiary to increase its service offerings.

Talent and skills

Failure to engage and develop the Group’s existing employees or to attract and retain talented employees could hamper the Group’s ability to deliver in the future. Regular reviews are undertaken of the Group’s resource requirements.

Economic and market environment

A significant economic decline in any of the markets that the Group operates in, could impact the Group’s ability to continue to attract and retain customers. Demand for the Group’s products and services can be adversely affected by weakness in the wider economy which are beyond the Group’s control. This risk is evaluated as part of the Group’s annual strategy process covering the key areas of investment and development and updated regularly throughout the year. The Group continues to make investment in innovation. The Group regularly reviews its pricing structures to ensure that its products and services are appropriately placed within the markets in which it operates.

Brand and reputation risk

Damage to the Group’s reputation could ultimately impede the Group’s ability to execute its corporate strategy. To mitigate this risk, the Group strives continually to build its reputation through a commitment to sustainability, transparency, effective communication and best practices. The Group works to develop and maintain its brand value.

Technology and business interruption

The Group relies on information technology in all aspects of its business. In addition, the services that the Group offers to its customers are reliant on complex technical infrastructure. A failure in the operation of the Group’s key systems or infrastructure could cause a failure of service to its customers, thus negatively impacting its brand, and increased costs. The Group invests in technology infrastructure to enable it to continue to support the growth of its business and has a robust selection and monitoring process of third-party providers. The Group also organises regular business continuity exercises to ensure ongoing readiness of key systems and sites.

Customer service

The Group’s revenues are at risk if it does not continue to provide the level of service expected by its customers. The Group’s commitment to customers is embedded in its values. The relevant employees undertake appropriate training programmes to ensure that they are aware of, and abide by, the levels of service that are required by the Group’s customers.

Financial instruments risks

Note 41 to the financial statements provides details in connection with the Company’s financial risk management objectives and policies and the financial risks to which it is exposed.

Non-financial statement matters

Environmental matters

The Group is committed to environmental responsibility and feels that it is its duty to operate as part of the local community in order to keep the environment in which it operates tidy. Subsidiaries within the Group are enrolled in local programmes for waste collection, separation and recycling of waste.

Employee matters

The Group provides opportunities to individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences, to work in its environment and provide the necessary training programs to its staff members to ensure high levels of engagement which is essential to its continuing business success, whilst making sure that it provides career progression mechanisms and rewarding achievements. All this is provided in an environment which fosters diversity and equal opportunities for everyone, respecting the unique attributes and perspectives of every employee.

The Group provides equal treatment and equal employment opportunity without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other basis protected by law. In addition, it is committed to providing a safe and healthful working environment for its employees. For everyone’s safety, employees must immediately report accidents and unsafe practices or conditions to their immediate supervisors.

Social matters

The Group engages with its social partners and the community in general to give back through community involvement and the protection of the environment through the creation and realisation of advanced technology systems. The Group’s history has shown a proven contribution towards society by enhancing the quality of life of its customers and the general public alike.

Obligations

The Group conducts its activities by taking positive actions respect human rights, as defined in the code of business conduct, which applies to all employees of the Group. All Group employees are trained annually on the standard of business conduct.

The Group makes sure that it respects all its obligations regarding fraud, bribery and corruption. The Group prohibits all forms of bribery and corruption in accordance with the Group Code of Conduct and Whistle-blower Policy to ensure that all employees are deterred from any corrupt practices or bribery as well as are incentivized to report any such activities in a direct line with the responsible Group supervisor, without fearing reprisals.

Accordingly, all employees, representatives and business partners must fully comply with anti-bribery legislation.

Meanwhile, the Group is committed to complying with the applicable laws in all countries where it does business. It adopts an anti-corruption policy which sets forth its commitment to ensuring that it carries out business in an ethical manner.

Business model

The Group’s business model in Malta is a multi-brand information technology solutions provider to businesses and the public sector. In addition, the Group provides a payments solutions provider offering e-commerce processing services for retailers and internet-based merchants together with the provision of a wide range of automation and security solutions catering to the banking, retail, fuel and other sectors.

Through the wide range of services and experience in technology, the Group is positioned to continue to develop and offer a broad range of state-of-the-art solutions and assure an excellent quality of service to its customers.

Significant judgements and estimates

Note 4 to the financial statements provides details in connection with the inherent uncertainties that surround the preparation of the financial statements which require significant estimates and judgements.

Results and dividends

The results for the year ended 31 December 2021 are shown in the statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. The Group’s profit for the year after taxation was € 2,693,521 (2020: € 3,040,659), whilst the Company’s profit for the year after taxation was € 2,286,301 (2020: € 1,809,807).

On 25 March 2021, the Company declared a final dividend of € 455,613 - € 0.020 per share, for 2020. This was paid on 9 April 2021. During the current year, the Company paid two net interim dividends amounting to € 911,275 - € 0.040 per share.

On 8 April 2022, the directors propose a final net dividend of € 455,613, equivalent to € 0.02 per share, resulting in an aggregate net dividend for the financial year ended 31 December 2021 of € 1,366,888 equivalent to € 0.060 per share (2020 - € 1,366,846- € 0.060 per share).

Likely future business developments

The directors consider that the year-end financial position of the Group was satisfactory, however future performance might be negatively affected due to the Covid-19 pandemic or possibly the geopolitical situation in Europe. T he present, situation remains fluid and future events may have an adverse effect on the Group’s future profitability, liquidity and financial position, the medium-term outlook remains cautiously optimistic.

The Group will be evaluating the landscape around payment gateways to determine where Apco Systems should best position itself, whether simply as a technology company or whether the time has come to venture into obtaining a financial services licence . 

The Group will also explore opportunities to invest in FinTech's and other holdings which complement the Payment Gateway business segment.

Furthermore, in a bid to expand its reach and extend its services in the retail space, a subsidiary of APCO Systems, APCOPAY Greece S.A is in the process of being set up in Greece to allow the company to exploit the opportunities identified in this geography.

PTL Limited will be setting up a subsidiary in Mauritius to extend its foothold in the region following the successful implementation of the APA solution during 2020 and 2021.

Post balance sheet events

With respect to the potential impact in relation to the consequences that may arise from the conflict in the Ukraine, the directors hereby acknowledge that the Group has no direct involvement with persons or entities subject to international sanctions imposed and as adopted by the Maltese Government. The directors abide to continue to monitor the process of conducting further assessments in this regard in due course. There were no other adjusting or significant non-adjusting events that have occurred between the end of the reporting period and the date of authorisation by the board.

Towards the end of February 2022, the armed conflict between the Russian Federation and Ukraine set in motion a chain of diplomatic efforts and other major geopolitical events which led a number of western nations, including the EU institutions and the United States government, to impose a number of sanctions on the Russian Federation and Belarus. The sanctions currently in place include several restrictive measures of a direct financial nature that are having a significant direct impact on the broad economy of the affected nations, as well as resulting in a downgrading of their sovereign and private debt by international credit rating agencies.

The consequences of these restrictive measures are also expected to have a significant impact on the economies of the countries implementing such trade restrictions, with a spill-over on the world economy, as uncertainty and market volatility remain high across all industries with increasing tensions and rhetoric on both sides. The cost of doing business is expected to rise further, compounded by the remaining effects of the Covid-induced shocks on the global economy seen in the last couple of years, as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and Covid-related measures continue to rock global supply chains. Both the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have indicated that the resulting impact of the conflict on global growth and recovery from Covid effects will be significant. As the price of oil and gas shift upwards due to the war, transport and other procurement costs required for business will also increase. Due to the nature and decisiveness of these restrictive measures, the economic impact globally is expected to be long-lasting, even in the eventuality that the conflict ceases in the immediate future. The dynamics of international trade between the EU, the USA and Asia are also significantly impacted, possibly in the long-term.

It is still too early to quantify the impact that the ongoing conflict in Ukraine will have on the Group’s business and operations in the short and medium term. Management is taking all steps necessary to mitigate any expected decline in revenue and to implement any further course of action as deemed applicable in the circumstances. Management, together with the directors, continue to actively monitor all developments taking place internationally in order to take any action for unforeseen effects that such conflict might have on the economies and industries to which the company operates.

Directors

The following have served as directors of the Company during the period under review:

The directors are eligible for re-appointment in the manner specified in the corporate governance statement.

Remuneration statement

In terms of Rule 8A.4 of the Code, the Company is to include a remuneration statement in its annual report which shall include details of the remuneration policy of the Company in respect of the financial packages of members of the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer ( “CEO” ) of the Company.

The Company’s remuneration of its Directors and CEO is based on the remuneration policy adopted and approved by the shareholders of the Company at the annual general meeting held on 30 July 2020 (the “Remuneration Policy” ). The Remuneration Policy of the Company is available for inspection on the Company’s website on https://harvest.tech/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Harvest-Renumeration-Policy.pdf

Remuneration Policy

The Remuneration Policy of the Company is intended to provide an over-arching framework that establishes the principles and parameters to be applied in determining the remuneration to be paid to any member of the Board of Directors, and the CEO. The Remuneration Policy is also intended to demonstrate how the remuneration that may be paid to Directors and the CEO contributes to the development and attainment of the Company’s corporate strategy and its long-term success, development and sustainability, and is aimed at attracting and retaining suitable candidates with the appropriate skills, technical knowledge experience and expertise.

Remuneration payable to Directors

Fixed remuneration

The remuneration payable to Directors shall be fixed and shall not include any variable element based on performance indicators or the right to purchase shares in the Company by virtue of share options, or any other deferred compensation, or pension benefits.

In addition to fixed remuneration in respect of their position as members of the Board of Directors of the Company, individual Directors who are also appointed to chair, or to sit as members of, one or more committees or sub-committees of the Company, or its subsidiaries, are entitled to receive additional remuneration as may be determined by the Board of Directors from time to time. Any such additional/ remuneration shall, however, form part of the aggregate emoluments of the Directors as approved by the general meeting of the Company. The basis upon which such additional remuneration is paid shall take into account the skills, competencies and technical knowledge that members of such committees require and the respective functions, duties and responsibilities attaching to membership of such committees .

Other entitlements

The Company may also pay out fringe benefits, comprising of medical and life insurance (subject, however, to a commercially reasonable capping on the premium payable), as well as mobile and internet connectivity data, at the expense of the Company.

Director service contracts

As at the date hereof, the independent non-executive Directors are party to a director services contract with the Company, pursuant to which their respective role, responsibilities, duties and the applicable remuneration is set out.

The term of such service contracts commences from the date of entry into the said contract and continues in force thereafter until the next annual general meeting of the Company at which the Directors shall be eligible for re-election, or until such time as the Director resigns or until such time as such Director is removed from office.

None of the service contracts contain provisions for termination payments and other payments linked to early termination.

Remuneration payable to CEO

Fixed and Variable Remuneration

The CEO is entitled to a fixed-based salary together with a variable discretionary performance bonus, based on a pre-defined percentage of the audited consolidated net profit before taxation of the Company. Such bonus scheme is driven by the crucial role of the CEO in the oversight of the day-to-day business, and the growth of the Company and its underlying business clusters.

The remuneration payable to the CEO is reviewed annually by the Board of Directors to ensure that such remuneration is commensurate with the roles, duties and responsibilities of the CEO, as well as the individual skills, knowledge, expertise, experience and performance thereof. In establishing the remuneration payable to the CEO, the Board of Directors is guided by the recommendations of the RemNom Committee, including any recommendations intended to ensure that remuneration payable is in line with market standards and is well suited to retain and motivate the CEO of the Company to contribute to the long-term success and development of the Group.

Other entitlements

In addition to his fixed and variable remuneration, the CEO is also entitled to a fully expensed mobile phone and laptop, as well as part payment of premia for overseas medical insurance and life insurance.

CEO Service Contract

The CEO’s contract of service is of an indefinite duration and is subject to the termination notice periods prescribed by law.

Remuneration Report

In terms of Capital Markets Rule 12.26K, the Company is also required to draw up an annual remuneration report (the “Remuneration Report” ), which report is to:

         i.           provide an overview of the remuneration, including benefits in whatever form, awarded or due to members of the Board of Directors and the CEO during the financial year under review; and

        ii.            explain whether any deviations have been made from the Remuneration Policy of the Company.

In this respect, the Company is hereby producing its second Remuneration Report since the approval and entry into effectiveness, in July 2020, of the Remuneration Policy described in the preceding sections.

In this respect, the Company is hereby producing its second Remuneration Report since the approval and entry into effectiveness, in July 2020, of the Remuneration Policy described in the preceding sections .

Remuneration paid to Directors

The remuneration paid to individual Directors during the year under review was as follows:

* Resigned on 28 February 2022.

** Appointed as Chairman in place of Prof. Juanito Camilleri, with effect from 28 February 2022

The remuneration paid to the independent non-executive Directors covers both their role as directors of Company and their role as members of chairpersons or members of sub-committees of the Company, as well as their position as directors of subsidiaries forming part of the Group.

The aggregate emoluments that may be paid to Directors in any one financial year shall be as determined by the Company in the general meeting in accordance with Article 21.1 of the Articles of Association of the Company. In this respect, the shareholders of the Company approved, as part of the ordinary business approved at the last annual general meeting of the Company held on 7 May 2021, that the aggregate remuneration that may be paid to the Directors of the Company for the financial year ending 31 December 2021 was fixed at € 150,000.

The aggregate emoluments of the Directors in respect of their role as directors of the Company and, where applicable, as members of sub-committees of the Board of Directors of the Company and non-executive directors of subsidiaries forming part of the Group, amounted to €140,121.

In view of the management structure of the Group, and the fact that the main assets of the Company are its investments in its operating subsidiaries (PTL Limited, APCO Limited, APCO Systems Limited and Ipsyon Limited), the Board considers a fixed remuneration to Directors as an appropriate and suitable remuneration package for the Board in the performance of their duties. Furthermore, the Remuneration Committee is satisfied that the fixed remuneration for the year under review is in line with the core principles of the Remuneration Policy applicable during the year under review, including giving due regard to market conditions and remuneration rates offered by comparable organisations for comparable roles.

Remuneration paid to CEO

Emoluments paid and accrued to the CEO for the period under review amounted to €185,000, split as to €125,000 by way of fixed remuneration and € 60,000 by way of variable remuneration.

Decision-making with respect to the Remuneration Policy

Whereas the Board of Directors is responsible for determining the Remuneration Policy of the Company, the RemNom Committee, acting in its function as the Remuneration Committee, is, in turn, responsible for overseeing and monitoring its implementation and ongoing review thereof.

The Remuneration Policy shall be reviewed regularly, and any material amendments thereto shall be submitted to a vote by the annual general meeting of the Company before adoption, and in any case at least every four (4) years.

In evaluating whether it is necessary or beneficial to supplement or otherwise alter the Remuneration Policy of the Company, the RemNom Committee have regard to, inter alia , best industry and market practice on remuneration, the remuneration policies adopted by companies operating in the same industry sectors, as well as legal and, or statutory rules, recommendations or guidelines on remuneration, including but not limited to the Code of Principles of Good Corporate Governance contained in Appendix 5.1 of the Capital Markets Rules issued by the MFSA.

Members of the RemNom Committee are not present while his/her remuneration as a Director or other officer of the Company and, or of any other company forming part of the Group, is being discussed at a meeting of such Committee, and any decision taken by the Committee in this respect shall be subject to the approval of the Board of Directors. At a meeting of the Board of Directors, no Director may be present while his/her remuneration as a Director or other officer of the Company and, or of any other company forming part of the Group, is being discussed.

Going concern

The directors are satisfied that, at the time of approving the financial statements, it is appropriate to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

Disclosure of information to the auditor

At the date of making this report the directors confirm the following:

Statement of directors’ responsibilities

The Companies Act, Cap 386 requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial period which give a true and fair view of their state of affairs of the Group and the Company as at the end of the reporting period and of the profit or loss of their operations for that period.  In preparing those financial statements, the directors are required to:

The directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company, and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act, Cap 386.  This responsibility includes designing, implementing and maintaining internal controls relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Group, and for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The financial statements of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2021 are included in the Annual Report 2021, which is published in hard-copy printed form and is made available on the Company’s website.  The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the Annual Report on the website in view of their responsibility for the controls over, and the security of, the website.  Access to information published on the Company’s website is available in other countries and jurisdictions, where legislation governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from requirements or practice in Malta.

Auditor

Grant Thornton have intimated their willingness to continue in office.

A resolution to reappoint Grant Thornton as auditor of the Company will be proposed at the forthcoming annual general meeting.

Signed on behalf of the Board of Directors on 8 April 2022 by Mr. Keith Busuttil ( Chairman and Director ) and Mr. Stephen Paris (Director) as per the Directors' Declaration on ESEF Annual Financial Report submitted in conjunction with the Annual Financial Report.

Registered address:

Nineteen Twenty-Three

Valletta Road

Marsa MRS 3000

Malta

8 April 2022

Corporate Governance - Statement of Compliance

A.      Introduction

 Pursuant to the Capital Markets Rules issued by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), Harvest Technology p.l.c. (the “ Company ”) should endeavour to adopt the Code of Principles of Good Corporate Governance contained in Appendix 5.1 to Chapter 5 of the Capital Markets Rules (the “ Code ”). As at the date of this Report, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board ” or the “ Directors ”) considers the Company to be generally compliant with the Code. In those instances where the Company’s organisation and practices deviate from the Code, the Board is of the view that there are cogent justifications for such divergences, taking into account the size, complexity and nature of operations of the Company, as explained in further detail in section B of this Corporate Governance Statement.

The Company acknowledges that the Code does not dictate or prescribe mandatory rules but recommends principles of good practice. However, the Directors strongly believe that such practices are generally in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders and that compliance with the Code is not only expected by investors but also evidences the Directors’ and the Company’s commitment to a high standard of good governance.

The Company’s governance lies principally with its Board, which is responsible for the overall determination of the Company’s policies and business strategies. The Company has adopted a corporate decision-making and supervisory structure that is tailored to suit its requirements and designed to ensure the existence of adequate controls and procedures within the Company, whilst retaining an element of flexibility essential to allow the Company to react promptly and efficiently to circumstances arising in respect of its business, taking into account its size and the economic conditions in which it operates. The Directors are of the view that it has employed structures, which are most suitable and complementary for the size, nature and operations of the Company. Accordingly, in general, the Directors believe that the Company has adopted appropriate and suitable structures to achieve an adequate level of good corporate governance, together with an adequate system of control in line with the Company’s requirements.

This Corporate Governance Statement (the “ Statement ”) sets out the organisational structures, internal controls, practices and processes in place within the Company and explains how these effectively achieve the provisions and principles set out in the Code. For this purpose, the Statement will make reference to the pertinent provisions and principles of the Code and set out the manner in which the Directors believe these have been adhered to. Where the Company has not complied with any of the principles of the Code, this Statement provides an explanation for such non-compliance. Reference in this Statement to compliance with the principles of the Code means compliance with the Code’s main principles and provisions.

The Board has carried out a review of the Company’s compliance with the Code during the period under review and is hereby reporting on the extent of its adoption of the provisions and principles of the Code for the financial year being reported, as required in terms of Capital Markets Rule 5.97.

The Code is accessible via the website of the MFSA on https://www.mfsa.mt/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Full-Capital-Markets-Rules-as-amended-on-6-December-2021.pdf thereof.

B.      Compliance

 Principle 1: The Board

The Directors believe that for the period under review, the Company has generally complied with the requirements of this principle and the relative Code provisions.

The Board is composed of members who are fit and proper to direct and manage the business of the Company with honesty, competence and integrity. All the members of the Board are fully aware of, and conversant with, the statutory and regulatory requirements connected to the business of the Company and its status as a listed company and the Board is cognisant of its accountability for its own performance and that of its delegates.

The Board is primarily responsible for determining the Company’s strategic direction and organisational requirements, whilst ensuring that the Company has the appropriate mix of financial, human and operational resources to meet its objectives and improve its performance. Throughout the period under review, the Board provided the necessary leadership in the overall direction of the Company and has adopted prudent and effective systems whereby it obtains timely information from the Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO” ) and the Chief Financial Officer (the “CFO” ).

The CEO acts as a channel of communication between the Board, the senior management team and the managing directors of the Company’s operating subsidiaries, ensuring an effective contribution to the decision-making process, whilst at the same time exercising prudent and effective controls. The CFO leads the finance function of the Company and plays a central role in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements, the appraisal of investment opportunities, as well as the monitoring of the operational performance of the Company’s business, cash flow and capital requirements. The CFO is also generally responsible for ensuring that the Company complies with its statutory financial and fiscal reporting obligations.

The Board delegates specific responsibilities to several committees, notably the Audit Committee, the Remunerations and Nominations Committee (the “RemNom Committee” ), the Governance and Risk Committee, and the Investment Committee, each of which operate under formal terms of reference approved by the Board. Further detail in relation to the Committees and the responsibilities of the Board is found in paragraph ‘ Principles 4 and 5 ’ of this Statement.

Principle 2: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

The roles of the Chairman and the CEO are occupied by separate individuals. During the period under review, Prof. Juanito Camilleri occupied the post of Chairman and Dr Godwin Caruana occupied the post of CEO. Prof. Juanito Camilleri resigned with effect from the 28 February 2022, and with effect from the same date, the Board of Directors appointed Mr. Keith Busuttil, a non-executive director of the Company, as Chairman of the Board of Directors, in accordance with the Articles of Association of the Company.

Prof. Juanito Camilleri was not, and Mr. Keith Busuttil is not, an independent Director as recommended by the Code. The Board considers that notwithstanding that the Chairman is not an independent Director as recommended by the Code, the means for addressing potential conflicts of interest are suitably addressed in the Articles of Association of the Company and terms of reference of the Audit Committee of the Company. During the period under review, the Board considered its Chairman and considers his successor, to be fit and proper to occupy the role, having the relevant and necessary experience and expertise to fulfil the role.

The responsibilities and roles of the Chairman and the CEO are clearly established and agreed to by the Board of Directors, with the Chairman generally responsible for leading the Board, whereas the CEO is generally responsible for the ­ day-to-day management of the Company, thereby ensuring effective checks and balances on the exercise of the management and conduct of affairs of the Company. The separation of roles is also entrenched in the Articles of Association of the Company, whereby in terms of Article 13.2 of the Articles of Association, where the CEO is appointed to form part of the senior management team of the Company, the CEO may not also simultaneously form part of the Board of Directors .

The Chairman is responsible for:

Principle 3: Composition of the Board

In terms of Clause 5 of the Memorandum of Association of the Company and Article 12.3 of the Articles of Association of the Company, the board of directors shall consist of a minimum of five (5) and maximum of seven (7) directors, one of whom may include the CEO provided that said CEO does not form part of the senior management of the Company in accordance with Article 13.2 of the Articles of Association.

The Articles of Association of the Company distinguish between the process for the appointment of executive directors and non-executive directors.

Appointment of executive directors

Non-executive directors of the Company are entitled to appoint executive directors to the Board of Directors of the Company from amongst the most senior executive positions of the Company. An executive director appointed in such manner will have a term of office of three (3) years and will thereafter be eligible for re-appointment and may not be removed from office by the non-executive directors: (i) unless his office as a senior executive has also been terminated; or (ii) with just cause being shown to the satisfaction of the Nominations Committee.

As indicated hereunder, none of the directors of the Company are executive directors.

Appointment of non-executive directors

Non-executive directors of the Company shall be appointed by the shareholders in the annual general meeting of the Company. The Articles of Association of the Company provide for two mechanisms by which non-executive directors may be nominated for appointment by the shareholders at the annual general meeting, as follows: (i) any member or number of members who in the aggregate hold not less than 10% of the total number of equity securities having voting rights in the Company shall be entitled to nominate a fit and proper person for appointment as a director of the Company; and (ii) in addition to the aforementioned nominations, the directors themselves, or the Nominations  Committee, may make  recommendations and nominations for the appointment of directors at the next following annual general meeting. In either case, no person will be entitled to take office as a director unless approved by the Nominations Committee, which is empowered to reject any recommendation if in its considered opinion, such appointment could be detrimental to the Company’s interests or if such person is not considered fit and proper to occupy that position.

Removal of directors

Any Director may be removed at any time by the ordinary resolution of the shareholders of the Company in accordance with the Companies Act (Cap. 386 of the laws of Malta), or in accordance with any other applicable law, or in the specific cases set out in the Articles of Association of the Company. Once appointed to office in accordance with the provisions of the Articles of Association of the Company, a Director shall hold office for a minimum period of three (3) years and a maximum period of five (5) years, unless he/she resigns or is earlier removed or is due to retire by rotation in accordance with the Articles of Association of the Company. A Director whose term of office expires will be eligible for re-appointment.

During the period under review the Board of Directors was chaired by Prof. Juanito Camilleri, and comprised six (6) non-executive Directors, until his resignation which took effect from the 28 February 2022. With effect from the same date, the Board of Directors appointed Mr. Keith Busuttil as Chairman of the Board of Directors, in accordance with the Articles of Association of the Company. Subsequently, the Board of Directors co-opted Mr. Peter Hili to the office of non-executive director, effective 14 March 2022. The Board of Directors is now composed of six (6) non-executive Directors.

The Board of Directors is currently chaired by Mr. Keith Busuttil and comprises six (6) non-executive Directors. As at the date of this Statement, the directors of the Company are:

Mr Peter Hili and Mr. Conrad Aquilina will be obliged to retire from office at the next annual general meeting but will be eligible for re-appointment thereat.

For the purpose of Code provision 3.2, two of the Directors are considered by the Board to be independent within the meaning of the Capital Markets Rules, such independent directors being Ms. Jacqueline Camilleri and Mr. Stephen Paris. In making this determination in respect of the former, the Board of Directors considered the following principal determining factors: (i) with reference to her position as a member of the Board of Directors of Hili Finance Company p.l.c. (C85692), the Board noted that Ms. Camilleri sits as an independent non-executive director and is, therefore, not involved in the day-to-day operations; and (ii) none of the circumstances set out in Code provision 3.2 that would be indicative of a director’s non-independence, are satisfied.

The Board of Directors have formulated the view that notwithstanding that Mr. Conrad Aquilina is employed by  Hili Ventures Limited, the parent company of the majority and controlling shareholder of the Company, there are cogent reasons to believe that the independence of the said director was/is not compromised by the services rendered by the said director under his contract of employment, mindful of maintaining professionalism and integrity in carrying out his duties, responsibilities and providing judgement as a non-executive director of the Company. The Board of Directors also considers that Mr. Keith Busuttil, CEO of 1923 Investments p.l.c., and Mr. Georgios Kakouras and Mr. Peter Hili, directors of Hili Properties p.l.c. (C-57954), an associate company of 1923 Investments p.l.c., similarly maintain the necessary professionalism and integrity to duly fulfil their roles and responsibilities as non-executive director of the Company.

The non-executive directors contribute to the strategic development of the Company and the creation of its long-term growth and are responsible for:

•         constructively challenging and developing strategy;

•         monitoring reporting of performance;

•         scrutinising performance of management; and

•         ensuring the integrity of financial information, financial controls and risk management systems.

Save as disclosed above, none of the non-executive Directors of the Company:

(a)    are or have been employed in any capacity by the Company;

(b)   receive significant additional remuneration from the Company;

(c)    have close family ties with any of the executive members of the Board;

(d)   have been within the last three years an engagement partner or a member of the audit team of the

       present or past external auditor of the Company; and

(e)    have a significant business relationship with the Company.

In terms of Code provision 3.4, each non-executive Director has declared in writing to the Board that he/she undertakes:

•         to maintain in all circumstances his/her independence of analysis, decision and action;

•         not to seek or accept any unreasonable advantages that could be considered as compromising his/her

•         independence; and

•         to clearly express his/her opposition in the event that he/she finds that a decision of the Board may harm the Company.

Each non-executive Director has complied with such an undertaking for the period under review.

Principles 4 and 5: The Responsibilities of the Board and Board Meetings

The Board of Directors is entrusted with the overall direction, administration and management of the Company and meets on a regular basis to discuss and take decisions on matters concerning the strategy, operational performance and financial performance of the Company.

In fulfilling its mandate, the Board assumes responsibility to:

a)     establish appropriate corporate governance standards;

b)    review, evaluate and approve, on a regular basis, long-term plans for the Company;

c)     review, evaluate and approve the Company’s budgets and forecasts;

d)    review, evaluate and approve major resource allocations and capital investments;

e)     review the financial and operating results of the Company;

f)     ensure appropriate policies and procedures are in place to manage risks and internal control;

g)     review, evaluate and approve the overall corporate organisation structure, the assignment of

        management responsibilities and plans for senior management development including succession;

h)    review, evaluate and approve compensation of senior management;

i)     review periodically the Company’s objectives and policies relating to social, health and safety and

       environmental responsibilities; and

j)    ensuring effective communication with shareholders, stakeholders and the market.

In fulfilling its responsibilities, the Board continuously assesses and monitors the Company’s present and future operations, opportunities, threats, and risks in the external environment, and its current and future strengths and weaknesses in its internal environment.

The Board delegates specific responsibilities to Board committees, namely the Audit Committee, the RemNom Committee, the Governance and Risk Committee and the Investment Committee.

The Board believes that it complies fully with the requirements of Principle 5 and the relative Code provisions, in that it has systems in place to ensure reasonable notice of meetings of the Board and ensuring that the Directors receive discussion papers in advance of meetings so as to provide adequate time for Directors to adequately and suitably prepare themselves and enable them to make an informed decision during meetings of the Board.

The Directors are assisted by the company secretary, who is consulted to ensure compliance with statutory requirements and with continuing listing obligations. The company secretary keeps detailed minutes of all meetings of the Board and of its committees, which minutes are subsequently circulated to the Board as soon as practicable after the meeting.

The company secretary also maintains detailed records of all dealings by Directors and senior executives of the Company and its subsidiaries in the Company’s shares, and assists the Board and senior management in being duly informed of, and conversant with, their obligations emanating from the Market Abuse Regulation (EU Regulation 596/2014) (“ MAR ”) and ensuring compliance therewith, to ensure the prevention and detection of insider dealing, unlawful disclosure of inside information and, or market abuse. In particular, cognisant of the material consequences of non-compliance with MAR and the effects thereof on investor confidence and market integrity, the Board has in place written policies and procedures relating to the keeping of permanent and temporary insiders lists, dealing in shares of the Company, and procedures for persons in possession of inside information.

In addition, the Directors may, in the course of their duties, seek independent professional advice on any aspect of their duties and responsibilities or the business and activities of the Company, at the Company’s expense.

During the period under review, the Board met eight (8) times. As a matter of policy, the Board seeks to meet at least twice every quarter, and a policy was established whereby early in the calendar year, meetings are scheduled for the full year, to allow adequate planning and time commitment, subject to the addition of ad hoc meetings as and when considered necessary.

The following reports the attendance at Board meetings of each of the Directors during the period under
review :

Principle 6: Information and Professional Development

On joining the Board, Board members undergo a formal induction programme, whereby the company secretary informs the incoming members of their statutory director duties and obligations, the requirements and implications of relevant legislation, as well as their rights, duties, and obligations under the Company’s Articles of Association and internal policies and procedures. Directors are also provided with a presentation on the activities of the Company and subsidiaries.

On a regular basis, the Directors also receive periodic information on the Group’s financial performance and position. The company secretary ensures effective information flows within the Board, committees and between senior management and Directors, as well as facilitating professional development. The company secretary advises the Board on governance matters.  Directors may, in the course of their duties, seek independent professional advice on any matter at the Company’s expense. In addition, the Board and its committees are given adequate and suitable resources to duly discharge their functions in a proper and effective manner

The CEO is responsible for ensuring that management and employees have access to development and training opportunities to retain and enhance the Group’s competitive positioning, to safeguard and augment staff morale, and to ensure effective continuity and succession planning. The Company will provide for additional individual Directors' training on an as required basis.

Principle 7: Evaluation of the Board’s Performance

The Board is of the view that over the period under review, all members of the Board, individually and collectively, have contributed to proceedings in line with the required levels of diligence and skill. In addition, the Board believes that its current composition endows the Board with a cross-section of skills and experience and achieves the appropriate balance required for it to function effectively.

The Board considers its own performance, and that of its committees as described in Principle 8 hereunder, as satisfactory and not meriting a revision to the Company’s corporate governance structures. The Board does not consider it necessary to appoint a committee to carry out a performance evaluation of its role, as the Board’s performance is evaluated on an ongoing basis by, and is subject to the constant scrutiny of, the Board itself, the Company’s shareholders, the market and the rules by which the Company is regulated as a listed company.

Principle 8: Committees

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee’s primary objective is to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities over the financial reporting processes, and the system of internal controls, the audit process and the process for monitoring compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The Audit Committee oversees the conduct of the internal and external audit and acts to facilitate communication between the Board, management and the internal and external auditors. The external auditors are invited to attend the Audit Committee meetings. The Audit Committee reports directly to the Board.

The Board has set formal terms of establishment and terms of reference of the Audit Committee, which set out its composition, role, function, and the parameters of its remit, as well as the procedures and processes to be complied with in its activities.

The Audit Committee is expected to deal with and advise the Board on issues of financial risk, control and compliance, and associated assurance of the Company, including:

Furthermore, the Audit Committee has the role of assessing any potential conflicts of interest between the duties of the Directors and their respective private interests or duties unrelated to the Company.

In addition, the Audit Committee has the role and function of evaluating any proposed transaction to be entered into by the Company and a related party (which term shall have the same meaning as in the international accounting standards adopted in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 1606/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council) to ensure that the execution of any such transaction is at arm’s length, on a commercial basis and ultimately in the best interests of the Company.

Any proposed transaction which the Company wishes to enter into and which satisfies either of the following conditions shall be referred to the Audit Committee for its consideration and approval:

At the meeting convened for this purpose, the Audit Committee shall consider the proposed transaction and first determine whether it is a transaction that falls within the ambit of the applicable Capital Markets Rules and, if it so determines, shall then consider the merits of the proposed transaction.

In its evaluation of the proposed transaction, the Audit Committee is at all times guided by the best interests of the Company and its general body of shareholders taken as a whole. The Audit Committee reports to the Board on its findings and makes its recommendations to the Board as to whether the transaction should be entered into in the first place and to make such further recommendations as to any matters that, in the opinion of the Audit Committee, need to be reviewed or improved in the proposed transaction or any of its terms so as to ensure that the best interests of the Company are properly safeguarded.

The Audit Committee is made up entirely of non-executive Directors, the majority of whom are independent of the Company. Audit Committee members are appointed for a one (1) year term of office, automatically renewed for further periods of one (1) year each unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors of the Company, or unless removed and replaced by another member by the Board of Directors in accordance with the Capital Markets Rules. During the period under review, the Audit Committee was composed of Ms. Jacqueline Camilleri (independent and non-executive Director), Mr. Stephen Paris (independent and non-executive Director) and Mr. Keith Busuttil (non-executive Director). Following his appointment as Chairman of the Board,  Mr Keith Busuttil was replaced by Mr Georgios Kakouras (non-Executive Director) as Audit Committee member.

The Chairperson of the Audit Committee, appointed by the Board, is entrusted with reporting to the Board on the workings and findings of the Audit Committee. Ms. Jacqueline Camilleri occupied the post of Chairperson of the Audit Committee during the period under review.

The independent non-executive directors forming part of the Audit Committee are considered by the Board to be competent in accounting and/or auditing in terms of the Capital Markets Rules, based on their respective extensive experience occupying financial management and auditing roles within various private and public entities, as well as their respective skills and competencies in financial reporting, financial management, financial auditing and general financial advisory.

The Audit Committee met five (5) times during the year under review. The meetings of the Audit Committee were attended by all its members during the period under review. The Audit Committee is scheduled to meet at least four times in 2022.

RemNom Committee

In view of its size, the Company is of the view that whilst it considers the role and function of each of the remuneration committee and the nomination committee as important, it would be more efficient for these committees to be merged into one committee (the “RemNom Committee” ) that would serve a dual role. During the period under review the RemNom Committee was composed of Prof. Juanito Camilleri (who also acted as its Chairman, until his effective resignation on 28 February 2022), Ms. Jacqueline Camilleri and Mr Stephen Paris. On 14 March 2022, Mr Keith Busuttil was appointed as Chairman of the RemNom Committee.

In its function as remuneration committee, the RemNom Committee is delegated with the oversight of the remuneration policies implemented by the Company with respect to the Board of Directors, the CEO and individuals who report directly to the Board of Directors. In assisting and making recommendations to the Board of Directors in setting out the Company’s remuneration policy, the RemNom Committee seeks to formulate remuneration policies aimed at attracting, retaining and motivating directors, whether executive or non-executive, as well as senior management with the right qualities and skills for the benefit of the Company. In turn, it is responsible for making proposals to the Board on the individual remuneration packages of directors and senior executives and is entrusted with monitoring the level and structure of remuneration of the non-executive directors. In addition, the RemNom Committee is responsible for reviewing the performance-based remuneration incentives that may be adopted by the Company from time to time and is authorised to determine whether a performance-based bonus or other incentive should be paid out or otherwise.

In its function as nomination committee, the RemNom Committee’s task is to propose to the Board candidates for the position of director, including persons considered to be independent in terms of the Capital Markets Rules, whilst also considering any recommendations from or nominations made by the shareholders in accordance with the Articles of Association of the Company.

The nominations committee also periodically assesses the structure, size, composition and performance of the Board and make recommendations to the Board regarding any changes, as well as consider issues related to succession planning. When fulfilling this function, the committee assesses the individual skills, knowledge and experience of the Directors, in order to ensure that that these endow the Board with the requisite collective skills, knowledge and experience for the proper functioning of the Company and its oversight by the Board. It is also entrusted with reviewing the Board’s policy for selection and appointment of senior management.

The nominations committee is empowered by the Articles of Association of the Company to reject any recommendation made to it if, in its considered opinion, the appointment of the person so recommended as a Director could be detrimental to the Company’s interests, or if such person is not considered fit and proper to occupy that position. The committee and the existing Board members themselves may also make recommendations for the appointment of new directors at the annual general meeting. Where the number of candidates approved by the nominations committee is greater than the number of vacancies on the Board, an election would take place in accordance with the provisions of the Articles of Association of the Company. In this respect, it is pertinent to note that, in advance of the 2021 annual general meeting, the Nominations Committee received two (2) valid nominations for the appointment of incumbent Non-Executive Directors, Prof. Juanito Camilleri and Mr. Georgios Kakouras, which nominations were approved by the Nominations Committee and both approved candidates were automatically appointed, without requiring a resolution to be voted upon in view of the fact that the number of approved candidates did not exceed the number of vacancies and that no shareholder holding not less than ten per cent (10%) in nominal value of the shares having voting rights demanded that a vote be taken in respect of all or any one or more of the approved candidates.

The RemNom Committee met once during the period under review and is scheduled to meet in advance of and following the Company’s next annual general meeting, in addition to meetings which may be held from time to time and as may be required .

Governance and Risk Committee

C ognizant of the critical importance of adopting a risk-based approach to its business and operations, and as part of its endeavours to ensure proper and effective risk management, the Company has established a governance and risk committee (the “Governance and Risk Committee” or the “GRC” ). The GRC is entrusted with :

The GRC reports directly to the Board of Directors of the Company. During the period under review, the GRC was composed of Mr. Stephen Paris (Chairman), Ms. Jacqueline Camilleri and Mr. Conrad Aquilina. In determining the composition of the GRC, a balance is sought between expertise and experience in legal and regulatory affairs, compliance with anti-money laundering legislation, and I.T. and technical expertise, including in particular cyber-security. The CEO of the Company, together with members of senior management, may be invited to meetings of the GRC from time to time as observers.

When identifying, evaluating and monitoring the risks to which the Group is, or may become, exposed to, the GRC adopts a three-pronged approach to risk assessments comprised of risk identification, risk quantification and risk evaluation. Where appropriate, the GRC seeks to identify and introduce the appropriate measures to be implemented to properly and effectively manage the risks identified.

The GRC met four times during the period under review and is scheduled to meet four times during the current financial year, in addition to meetings which may be held from time to time and as may be required.

Investment Committee

On the 3 August, 2021, the Board of Directors resolved to establish an Investment Committee, composed of Mr Keith Busuttil, who was entrusted to chair the committee, Mr Georgios Kakouras, Mr Stephen Paris and the CEO, the primary purpose of which is that of determining what investments and, or divestments the Company should undertake within the parameters of the Group’s strategic plan in this respect as determined by the Board from time to time. 

Additionally, the Investment Committee is entrusted with the review of the aforementioned strategic plan, as well as prospective investments and, or divestments, and their funding requirements, as proposed from time to time, and once approved, the Investment Committee is tasked with overseeing their implementation and keeping the Board abreast of developments relating thereto. The Investment Committee is also responsible for monitoring emerging risks and opportunities, industry and regulatory developments as well as key business developments, which could impact the Group’s investment strategy.

During the financial year under review, the Investment Committee held 2 meetings, and is scheduled to meet at least 4 during the course of the current financial year.

Principles 9 and 10: Relations with Shareholders and with the Market, and Institutional Shareholders

The Company recognises the importance of maintaining a dialogue with its shareholders and of keeping the market informed to ensure that its strategies and performance are well understood. The Company is highly committed to having an open channel of communication and effective relationship with its shareholders and the wider market

The Company communicates with its shareholders principally through the Company’s Annual General Meeting (the “AGM” ). The Chairman of the Board ensures that all Directors attend the AGM and that both the Chairman of the Board and the Chairperson of the Audit Committee, the RemNom Committee, the Governance and Risk Committee and the Investment Committee are available to answer questions. Individual shareholders can raise matters relating to their shareholdings and the business of the Group at any time throughout the year and are given the opportunity to ask questions at the AGM or to submit written questions in advance.

Both the Chairman and CEO also ensure that sufficient contact is maintained with major shareholders to understand issues and concerns.

Apart from the AGM, the Company communicates with its shareholders by way of the Annual Report and Financial Statements and through the Company’s website ( https://harvest.tech/ ) which also contains information about the Company and its business, including an ‘Investor Relations’ section.

The office of the company secretary also assists the Board in maintaining regular communication between the Company and its investors through the publication of company announcements.

The Company ensures that the market is provided with regular, timely, accurate, comprehensive, and comparable information to enable existing and prospective investors to make informed investment decisions. In this respect, over and above its statutory and regulatory requirements relating to the AGM, the publication of annual and interim financial statements, interim directors’ statements and Company announcements, the Company seeks to engage with investors and the market on a regular basis, and the Company holds meetings with major stockbrokers and financial intermediaries.

Principle 11: Conflicts of Interest

The Directors are fully aware of their responsibility to always act in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders irrespective of whoever appointed or elected them to serve on the Board.  

On joining the Board and regularly thereafter, the Directors are informed of their obligations on dealing in securities of the Company within the parameters of law, including the Capital Markets Rules, and Directors follow the required notification procedures.

It is the practice of the Board that when a potential conflict of interest arises in connection with any transaction or other matter, the potential conflict of interest is declared, so that steps may be taken to ensure that such items are appropriately addressed. By virtue of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Directors are obliged to keep the Board advised, on an ongoing basis, of any interest that could potentially conflict with that of the Company. The Board member concerned shall not take part in the assessment by the Board as to whether a conflict of interest exists. A director shall not vote in respect of any contract, arrangement, transaction or proposal in which he/she has a material interest in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company. The Board believes that this is a procedure that achieves compliance with both the letter and rationale of Principle 11 of the Code.

In situations giving rise to potential conflicts of interest, the conflicted Directors are to act in accordance with the majority decision of those Directors who are not conflicted in the proposed contract, transaction, or arrangement, and in line with the advice of independent legal advice, where required.

During the period under review, the Company did not enter into any material agreements in which any one of the Directors was, directly or indirectly, interested.

Any material transactions with related parties, which pose intrinsic potential conflicts of interests, require the approval of the Audit Committee, which is charged with ensuring that such transactions are necessary for the conduct of the Company’s business and are transacted on an arm’s length basis. Furthermore, such material transactions with related party transactions are subject to the Listing Rules regulating the approval process for transactions of such nature, including disclosure and shareholder approval requirements that may apply if certain conditions are met.

Save as stated below, the Directors are not aware of any potential conflicts of interest which could relate to their roles within the Company:

None of the Directors held any disclosable interest in any contracts or arrangements either subsisting at the end of the last financial year or entered during this financial year.

Principle 12: Corporate Social Responsibility

The Directors also seek to adhere to accepted principles of corporate social responsibility in their management practices of the Company in relation to the Group’s workforce and the community in general.

Over the period under review, the Group has supported several organisations engaged in charitable and philanthropic work.

The Group recognises that its workforce is one of its main assets, essential for achieving its objectives and sustained growth. The Group recognises the need to embed good governance in its day-to-day operations and, for this purpose, has introduced a Code of Conduct that establishes the general guidelines governing the conduct of all of its employees in fulfilling their functions and their commercial and professional relations.

As the Covid-19 pandemic wore on, the Group adopted a work-from-home policy with a view to protecting its staff from unnecessary contact and commuting, as well as keeping in line with the Group’s objective to introduce employee friendly measures when it comes to employment flexibility. This strategy proved to be successful with minimal disruptions to clients and other business partners. The Board of Directors kept developments surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic under constant review, on both a national and international front, with a view to ensuring that any immediate action is taken should it be required.

C.      Non-compliance with the Code

The Directors believe that good corporate governance is a function of a mix of checks and balances that best suit the Company and its business. Accordingly, whilst there are best practices that can be of general application, the structures that may be required within the context of larger companies are not necessarily and objectively the structures for companies whose size and/or business dictate otherwise. It is in this context that the Directors have adopted a corporate governance framework within the Company that is designed to better suit the Company, its business, scale, and complexity, whilst ensuring proper checks and balances.

Taking the above into account and considering that the Code is not mandatory and that the provisions thereof may be departed from provided that reasonable and justifiable circumstances exist and are adequately explained, the Directors set out below the Code Provisions with which the Company does not comply and what are, in its view, a reasonable and justifiable basis for such departure from the recommendations set out in the Code relating to the composition of the Board.

D.      Internal controls

The key features of the Group’s system of internal controls are as follows:

Organisation

The boards of directors of the Company’s subsidiaries (that is, of PTL Limited, APCO Limited, APCO Systems Limited, and Ipsyon Limited) are subject to clear reporting lines and delegation of powers.

During the period under review (and until his resignation which took effect from the 28 February 2022), as the Company’s Chairman Prof. Juanito Camilleri occupied the post of Chairman of the board of directors of the Company’s subsidiary companies. With effect from 22 March, 2022, Mr. Keith Busuttil assumed the role of director and Chairman of the board of the subsidiaries.

The CEO and the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) are invited as observers at the meetings of the Board of Directors of the Company, acting as the liaison between the senior management of the Company and the Board of Directors; and (iii) the managing directors of each operating subsidiary report directly to the CEO, ensuring a regular and open communication channel among members of the senior management team.

Control environment

The Group is committed to the highest standards of business conduct and seeks to maintain these standards across all its operations. Although the Company has not appointed an internal auditor, the Board of Directors believes that the combination of checks and balances on the finance function of the Company, including the remit and responsibilities of the Audit Committee and the Governance and Risk Committee, the Company’s finance policies and procedures, as well as the Company’s statutory and legal obligations as a listed entity, provide adequate and suitable controls that are commensurate with the size and complexity of its business and operations. The Board of Directors will retain this matter under review in the coming year.

As part of the good governance best practices adopted by the Group, the Group implements various policies, procedures, systems and controls, designed to detect, prevent, and properly and effectively mitigate and manage legal, regulatory, business and commercial risks to which the Group is or may become exposed to.  In this respect, the Group has also adopted the following policies:

-         Code of Conduct and Whistle-blower Policy: this policy sets out the Group’s approach to the prevention and detection of corrupt practices or bribery, as well as setting adequate deterrents and punitive measures to discourage such conduct and to promote employees to blow the whistle on such conduct.

-         Health and Safety Policy: this policy sets out the Group’s approach to ensuring a safe and secure work environment, providing employees with guidance as to the pre-emptive or resolutive measures to be implemented when dealing with unsafe or hazardous conditions, injuries or accidents arising in the course of the activities of the Group. In turn this policy is supplemented by a comprehensive Health and Safety Manual, providing a detailed instructions and guidance manual on the processes and procedures to be followed. In this respect, the Group has appointed a dedicated Health & Safety Officer, responsible for overseeing compliance with the Group’s policy and for handling incidents that may arise from time to time. The Group undertakes a periodic risk assessment, with the objective of identifying any weaknesses in the Group’s property, plant and equipment, or in its internal systems and controls and so assess how this may impact the Group’s exposure to risks associated with health and safety and what rectifying measures ought to be implemented.

-         Information Security Policies: this set of policies sets out the Group’s approach towards ensuring that all users and networks within the Group meet minimum Information Technology (IT) security and data protection security requirements.

Each policy sets out clear reporting lines, to enable employees to disclose incidents to their superiors in a confidential and secure manner, without fear of reprisal. Policies are periodically reviewed and updated.

The Group has an appropriate organisational structure for financial planning, executing, controlling and monitoring business operations in order to achieve Group objectives. Measures taken include physical controls, segregation of duties and reviews by management and the external auditors. Lines of responsibility and delegation of authority are documented.

The Group and the subsidiary companies comprising it have implemented control procedures designed to ensure complete and accurate accounting for financial transactions and to limit the potential exposure to loss of assets or fraud. In particular, the Group adopts:

-         Finance Policies and Procedures: designed to ensure best practices in internal controls by management and members of staff. These policies and procedures cover procurement, credit control, travel policies, credit card payments, bank reconciliations among others; and

-         HR policies and procedures: which govern best practices in employee recruiting, career development, training, performance management, termination of contract, among others.

These policies, procedures, controls and systems are reviewed from time to time in order to reflect new operational and market realities, ensuring that the Group evolves in tandem with the latest developments in a timely manner, seeking pre-empting challenges and maximising potential.

The Group is committed to legal and regulatory compliance and devotes significant attention to promoting and ensuring acquiescence with the legal and regulatory framework affecting its various operations. Throughout the period under review, the Group had its own inhouse legal counsel. In addition the Company is able to engage third party legal experts where necessary through ongoing and, or ad-hoc arrangements, in order to provide sector-specific legal and advice and the necessary support and assistance, with the objective of properly mitigating the business and legal risks of undertaking its activities.

Risk identification and assessment

Group management is responsible together with each of the subsidiary companies’ management, for the identification and evaluation of key risks applicable to their areas of business. These risks are assessed on a continual basis and may be associated with a variety of internal or external sources including control breakdowns, disruption in information systems, competition, natural catastrophe and regulatory requirements. The Governance and Risk Committee, the setting up of which transcends the principles set out in the Code, plays a central role in this risk assessment, monitoring and control process.

Information and communication

Group companies participate in periodic strategic reviews, which include consideration of long-term financial projections and the evaluation of business alternatives. 

Monitoring and corrective action

There are clear and consistent procedures in place for monitoring the system of internal financial controls. The Audit Committee plans to meet regularly during the year and, within its terms of reference as approved by the MFSA, reviews the effectiveness of the Group’s systems of internal financial controls. The Audit Committee receives reports from management and the external auditors.

E.      General meetings

Annual General Meeting (AGM)

The AGM is the highest decision-making body of the Company.

All shareholders registered in the shareholders’ register at the relevant registration record date, have the right to participate in the AGM and to vote thereat. A shareholder who cannot participate in at the AGM can be represented by proxy.

A general meeting is deemed to have been duly convened if at least twenty-one (21) days’ notice is given in writing to all persons entitled to receive such notice, which must specify the place, the day and the hour of the meeting, and in case of special business, the general nature of that business, and shall be accompanied by a statement regarding the effect and scope of any proposed resolution in respect of such special business. The notice period may be reduced to fourteen (14) days if certain conditions are satisfied. The quorum of Shareholders required is not less than fifty-one per cent (51%) of the nominal value of the issued Shares entitled to attend and vote at the meeting.

The agenda of the AGM will comprise of the ordinary business of the AGM, covering the presentation and approval of the Annual Report and Financial Statements, the declaration of dividends, election of Directors and the approval of their remuneration, the appointment of the auditors and the authorisation of the Directors to set the auditors’ fees, together with any special business specified in the notice calling the AGM.

Extraordinary general meetings (EGMs)

The Directors may convene an extraordinary general meeting whenever they think fit. In addition, any two members or more of the Company holding at least ten per cent (10%) of the shares conferring a right to attend and vote at general meetings of the Company, may convene an extraordinary general meeting.