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Report & Consolidated Financial Statements 31 December 2024
Company Registration Number: C 63276
Chairman’s message2024 was a positive year for Harvest Technology p.l.c. as the Group registered an improved financial performance when compared to 2023. This positive outcome was driven by stronger results from each of our subsidiaries, stemming from securing new business and enhanced operational efficiency, despite challenging market conditions and increased price pressures across the industry. Harvest Technology registered consolidated revenue of €19.8 million compared to €14.6 million for 2023, reflecting an increase of 35%, and a profit before tax of €1.8 million for the year ended 2024 compared to €0.8 million for 2023. These results were primarily driven by improved performance in the automation hardware segment. In addition, Harvest Technology concluded the year with a healthy cash position of approximately €2.4 million and remained debt-free, positioning the business well to make strategic investments which support ongoing expansion. In the year under review, Harvest paid a total dividend of €0.065, which included a final dividend of €0.005 for 2023 and an interim dividend of €0.06 for 2024. Today, the Board of Directors resolved to distribute a final dividend of €0.015, bringing the total dividend distributed for the financial year ending 31 December 2024 to €0.075. Reflecting previous distribution levels, our priority was to ensure sustainable returns to shareholders, underscoring the Company’s commitment to delivering value, while maintaining a strong balance sheet to fund investment opportunities. Our strategic plan to reposition our three subsidiaries as pure-play companies gained traction in 2024. I am pleased to report that today our businesses have been streamlined. PTL Limited is now focused on IT services and software development; Apco Limited continues to lead in automation, security, and building management solutions; and Apcopay Limited is our global provider of payment orchestration solutions. In 2024, Apco acquired the automation hardware business and ancillary maintenance and support services portfolio from PTL, consolidating all automation activities under Apco within Harvest Technology. This strategic move positions Apco as the leading provider of cash automation products and services in Malta strengthening its relationships with key clients in the banking sector. Apco entered into a partnership with Johnson Controls last year, a global leader in smart building management, HVAC, fire, and security systems, with a view to expand and diversify its product offerings, to supply and service the manufacturing, real estate and hospitality sectors, which are large industries drivers in Malta. For Apcopay, 2024 was another milestone year, with payment processing volumes reaching €1.3 billion, a 33% increase when compared to 2023. This strong performance was driven by organic growth from existing clients, primarily within the iGaming sector, as well as new clients from the travel, leisure, and retail sectors. It is important to note that while we are experiencing impressive volume growth, we are also facing pressure as increased competition in the market keeps challenging pricing models. The Apcopay team also continued to migrate to the new cloud-based payment orchestration platform, Synthesis, with completion expected in 2025. Throughout the year, we continued restructuring PTL, focusing on the leadership team and appointing a new managing director to lead the business. PTL’s focus is now centered on driving growth in its core verticals, including healthcare, law enforcement, financial services, and business applications while also expanding its new verticals, particularly in ERP and cybersecurity solutions for both domestic and international clients. Investment in proprietary software remains a key priority, with new features and services to enhance our product offering. In recent years, the Group’s priority was to restructure the businesses while maintaining a strong financial position. In 2025, our focus will shift towards growth across all three subsidiaries, by diversifying our client base and introducing new products and services. It has been particularly rewarding to see the teams at PTL, Apco, and Harvest Technology collaborate to ensure the smooth transition of the hardware business described above. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to our dedicated employees and the leadership team. Their hard work, commitment, and passion are the driving force behind our collective achievements. I would like to extend my thanks to the Board of Directors, who have been instrumental in ensuring we maintain the highest standards of governance while continually guiding and challenging the business to reach its targets. I would also like to thank all our stakeholders who continue to support the Company during its journey. As a board, our primary goal remains to create sustainable value for shareholders by expanding our existing portfolio and continuing to evaluate strategic investments that will improve the position of each subsidiary. We remain committed to leveraging our strengths and driving long-term growth in the rapidly evolving technology sector.
Mr Keith Busuttil
Chairman
27 March 2025
Chief Financial Officer’s overviewDuring 2024 Harvest Technology generated €19.8 million in revenue, compared to €14.6 million in 2023, representing an increase of 35%. Gross profit for the year reached €7.3 million, an increase of €1.1 million over 2023 and profit before tax more than doubled reaching €1.8 million in the year under review, a 118% increase over 2023 figures. It is important to note that the profit before tax for 2023 included a provision of €0.5 million as a one-off effect related to a project which was not delivered as a result of a failure from the lead subcontractor. The increase in revenue and profitability last year was also bolstered by contracts which were expected to be closed in 2023 but were awarded and delivered in 2024. Apco Limited, our automation, fire, security and building management systems company generated €3.6 million in revenue for 2024 compared to €1.8 million in 2023, representing a 100% increase. Apco also recorded a healthy increase in gross profit from €0.5 million in 2023 to €1.3 million in 2024 and profit before tax reached €0.2 million upending last year’s loss of €0.5 million. In the fourth quarter of 2024, Apco completed the acquisition of the automation hardware business from PTL Limited, a sister company, while also appointing a new General Manager. This strategic transfer of business has already shown its strength having enabled Apco to deliver a significant contract in December 2024, which boosted performance. Apcopay Limited, the Group’s payment gateway, delivered revenues of €4.4 million, a 12% increase over the €3.9 million recorded in 2023. Gross profit amounted to €3.0 million in 2024 compared to the €2.6 million recorded in 2023, while profit before tax reached €1.1 million, representing a 19% increase over 2023. In the year under review, Apcopay Limited processed payment volumes of €1.3 billion, an increase of 33% and 100% over 2023 and 2022 respectively reflecting strong volume growth. The management team remains focused on migrating all clients to the new platform in 2025 and diversifying the client base to ensure sustainable operations. PTL Limited, our i nformation technology services and software development arm, recorded revenue of €11.6 million in 2024, compared to € 8.9 million in 2023. Gross profit increased by € 0.2 million versus 2023 reaching €2.1 million while profit before tax remained stable at €0.6 million in the year under review. While PTL continued delivering on its contractual obligations with various government and private entities in Malta and beyond, the restructuring exercise initiated in 2024 re-calibrated the service offering to target new verticals and management is focused on improving efficiency and expanding its client base through its diversification strategy to deliver improved results. Liquidity Harvest Technology and its subsidiaries maintained a healthy liquidity and debt free position once again, amidst the challenges impacting the Group, due to macro-economic concerns and increased competition. Closing cash and cash equivalents at the end of 2024 amounted to €2.4 million, just €0.2 million lower than the previous year. This is after paying a dividend of €1.5 million at €0.065 per share ( 2023: €113,906 - €0.005 per share). The Group’s current ratio as at 31 December 2024 was 1.57 compared to 1.68 as at 31 December 2023 which reflects the strong balance sheet. Looking ahead to 2025, Harvest Technology will continue to build on its recent success, with a focus on client diversification, efficiency, and leveraging its inhouse technology expertise, while continuing to monitor macro-economic conditions, particularly inflation and interest rates. Finally, I would like to thank our shareholders, customers and suppliers for their continued support and confidence and to our employees for their dedication and commitment to delivering these results.
Mr Neacail Micallef Bilocca
Chief Financial Officer
27 March 2025
Directors’ reportThe 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 2024. 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, fire,, security, building management systems and to provide electronic payments solutions. Performance review During the year under review, the Group registered an operating profit of €1,828,218 (2023: €837,947) on revenue of €19,795,534 (2023: €14,646,656). After accounting for net finance costs and taxation, the Group registered a profit for the year of €1,106,194 (2023: €588,804). The Group’s net assets at the end of 2024 amounted to €13,700,815 (2023: €14,075,526). The Company earned management fees and investment income of €472,008 and €1,845,906 respectively (2023: €472,017 and €1,768,966 respectively). After accounting for finance income, finance costs and administrative expenditure, the Company registered a profit after tax of €851,714 (2023: €783,989). The net assets of the Company at the end of 2024 amounted to €12,788,470 (2023: €13,417,499). 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 1.57:1 (2023: 1.68:1). 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 €2,713,712 (2023: €1,691,718). 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 capital employed amounted to 13% (2023: 6%). 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 33% from € 1 billion in 2023 to € 1.3 billion in 2024. 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 can also 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. Growing pressure on commissions that Apcopay Limited generates through its partnerships with various banks can also impact future results. 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 resourcing 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 invest in innovation and 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 38 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 and social 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 controlling 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 healthy 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 social partners and the community in general to give back through community involvement and the protection of the environment. Obligations The Group conducts its activities by taking positive actions which respect human rights, as defined in the code of business conduct, which applies to all employees of the Group. All Group employees follow 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 owns 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 2024 are shown in the statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. The Group’s profit for the year after taxation was €1,106,194 (2023: €588,804), whilst the Company’s profit for the year after taxation was €851,714 (2023: €783,989). Dividends of €1,480,743 - €0.065 per share (€2023: €113,906 - €0.005 per share) were distributed by the Company during 2024. On 18 April 2024, the Company had declared a final dividend of €113,906 - €0.005 per share, for the financial year ended 31 December 2023. On the 8 August 2024, the Company declared an interim dividend for the financial year ended 31 December 2024 of €683,419 - €0.03 per share. On the 10 December 2024, the Company declared another interim dividend for the financial year ended 31 December 2024 of €683,419 - €0.03 per share. Finally, on 27 March 2025, the Board of Directors resolved to distribute a final dividend for the financial year ended 31 December 2024 amounting to €341,710 - €0.015 per share. Likely future business developments The directors consider that the year-end financial position was satisfactory and that the Group is well placed to sustain the present level of activity in the foreseeable future.
Hardware business On 7 February 2024, two subsidiaries within the Harvest Technology plc Group entered into an agreement for the transfer of the hardware business from one subsidiary to another, including the transfer of the associated maintenance and ancillary services and human resources. The transition was completed in November 2024. Post balance sheet events There were no adjusting or significant non-adjusting events that have occurred between the end of the reporting period and the date of authorisation by the board.
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, to the extent applicable, the Chief Executive Officer ( “CEO” ) of the Company. The Company’s remuneration of its Directors and CEO (as applicable) 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, as applicable. The Remuneration Policy is also intended to demonstrate how the remuneration that may be paid to Directors and the CEO, as applicable, 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 who are appointed to serve as directors and, or Chair of the board of subsidiaries of the Company, 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 During 2024 Harvest Technology did not have an appointed Chief Executive Officer. 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:
In this respect, the Company is hereby producing its fourth 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:
** Appointed on 29 July 2024. *** Appointed on 3 May 2024.
The remuneration paid to the independent non-executive Directors covers both their role as directors of the Company and their role as members or chairpersons of sub-committees of the Company, as well as their position, if any, 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 at the last annual general meeting of the Company held on 29 July 2024, that the aggregate remuneration that may be paid to the Directors of the Company for the financial year ending 31 December 2024 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 €40,000.
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, Apcopay 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 No emoluments were paid during 2024.
The contents of the remuneration report have been checked by the auditors of the Company. 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 shall 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 2024 are included in the Annual
Report 2024, 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 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 27 March 2025 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 27 March 2025
Corporate Governance - Statement of ComplianceA. 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/2023/01/Full-Capital-Markets-Rules-as-amended-on-23-January-2023.pdfthereof.
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 obtained timely information from the Chief Financial Officer (the “CFO” ). The CFO, acted as a channel of communication between the rest of the senior management team, the managing directors of the Company’s operating subsidiaries, and the Board of Directors of the Company, 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 a number of committees, most notably the Audit Committee (the “Audit Committee” ), and the Remuneration and Nominations Committee (the “RemNom Committee” ), as well as the Governance and Risk Committee, each of which operate/d 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
During the period under review, the role of the Chairman was occupied by Mr. Keith Busuttil whilst no Chief Executive Officer was in office. 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. Furthermore, the Board considers its present Chairman 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. Whilst it is noted that the CEO is generally responsible for the day-to-day management of the Company. Since the former CEO’s resignation, the role of ensuring effective checks and balances on the exercise of the management and conduct of affairs of the Company is assumed by the Board. 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 Mr. Keith Busuttil acted 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. Carmelo Hili to the office of non-executive director, effective 3 May 2024.
The Board of Directors is currently chaired by Mr. Keith Busuttil and comprises five (5) non-executive Directors. As at the date of this Statement, the directors of the Company are:
Mr Carmelo Hili and Dr Yasmine 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 considers that notwithstanding that Mr. Keith Busuttil is the CEO of 1923 Investments Limited, Mr. Peter Hili, Mr Carmelo Hili and Mr Dorian Desira are directors of associate companies, such persons are mindful of maintaining the necessary professionalism and integrity to duly fulfil their roles and responsibilities as non-executive directors of the Company. The Board of Directors maintained the view that notwithstanding that while occupying the role of non-executive director of the Company Dr. Yasmine Aquilina was employed by Hili Ventures Limited, the parent company of the majority and controlling shareholder of the Company, there were cogent reasons to believe that the independence of the said director 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 her duties, responsibilities and providing judgement as a 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:
Save as disclosed above, none of the non-executive Directors of the Company:
In terms of Code provision 3.4, each non-executive Director has declared in writing to the Board that he/she undertakes:
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:
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 the Audit Committee and the RemNom Committee, as well as, the Governance and Risk 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 fourteen (14) 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
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.
Management 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 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 risk, control, governance 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. Peter Hili (non-executive Director). 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 six (6) times during the year under review. Save for two meetings which were attended by two of the three members of the Audit Committee, 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 2025.
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 Mr. Keith Busuttil (who also acted as its Chairman), Ms. Jacqueline Camilleri and Mr Stephen Paris. 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 (as applicable) 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 2024 annual general meeting, the Nominations Committee received three (3) valid nominations for the appointment of incumbent Non-Executive Directors, Ms. Jacqueline Camilleri, Mr. Peter Hili and Mr. Dorian Desira, , which nominations were approved by the Nominations Committee and all 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 twice 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.
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 committee chairpersons 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. The Chairman also ensures 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. 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.
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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, Apcopay Limited, and Ipsyon Limited) are subject to clear reporting lines and delegation of powers.
During the period under review, as the Company’s Chairman Mr. Keith Busuttil occupied the post of Chairman of the board of directors of the Company’s subsidiary companies.
The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is invited as observer 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 director or general manager (as applicable) of each operating subsidiary report directly to the Board of Directors of the Company, 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, 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:
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:
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 Audit 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 person at the AGM can be represented by a 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.
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 27 March 2025. The financial statements were signed on behalf of the Board of Directors 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.
Retained earnings comprise current and prior period results as disclosed in the statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income.
Retained earnings include an amount of € 684,535 (2023: € 759,632) relating to deferred tax assets which are undistributable in terms of the Companies Act, Cap. 386.
Statement of changes in equity – the Company
Retained earnings comprise current and prior period results as disclosed in the statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income.
Retained earnings include an amount of € 45,719 (2023: € 127,889) relating to deferred tax assets which are undistributable in terms of the Companies Act, Cap. 386.
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The information given in the Directors’ report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements, and the Directors’ report has been prepared in accordance with the Act, and
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The Remuneration report has been properly prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Capital Markets Rules. |
In addition, in light of the knowledge and understanding of the Company and the Group and their environment obtained in the course of the audit, we are required to report if we have identified material misstatements in the Directors’ report and other information that we obtained prior to the date of this auditor’s report. We have nothing to report in this regard.
Responsibilities of the directors those charged with governance for the financial statement s
The directors are responsible for the preparation of financial statements that give a true and fair view in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the EU and are properly prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Act, and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the Company’s and the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters relating to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Those charged with governance are responsible for overseeing the Company’s and the Group’s financial reporting process.
Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
As part of an audit in accordance with the ISAs, we exercise professional judgement and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:
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Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control. |
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Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s and Group’s internal control. |
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Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by management. |
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Conclude on the appropriateness of the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Company’s and Group’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, because not all future events or conditions can be predicted, this statement is not a guarantee as to the Company’s or the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern. |
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Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation. |
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Obtain sufficient appropriate evidence regarding the financial information of the entities or business activities within the Group to express and opinion on the consolidated financial statements. We are responsible for the direction, supervision and performance of the Group audit. We remain solely responsible for our audit opinion.
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We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.
We also provide those charged with governance with a statement that we have complied with the relevant ethical requirements regarding independence, and to communicate with them all relationships and other matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and where applicable, related safeguards.
From the matters communicated with those charged with governance, we determine those matters that were of most significance in the audit of the financial statements of the current period and are therefore the key audit matters. We describe these matters in our auditor’s report unless law or regulation precludes public disclosure about the matter or when, in extremely rare circumstances, we determine that a matter should not be communicated in our report because the adverse consequences of doing so would reasonably be expected to outweigh the public interest benefit of such communication.
Reports on other legal and regulatory requirements
Report on compliance with the requirements of the European Single Electronic Format Regulatory Technical Standard (the “ESEF RTS”), by reference to Capital Markets Rule 5.55.6
We have undertaken a reasonable assurance engagement in accordance with the requirements of Directive 6 issued by the Accountancy Board in terms of the Accountancy Profession Act (Cap. 281) - the Accountancy Profession (European Single Electronic Format) Assurance Directive (the “ESEF Directive 6”) on the Report and Consolidated Financial Statements of Harvest Technology p.l.c. for the year ended 31 December 2024, entirely prepared in a single electronic reporting format.
Responsibilities of the directors
The directors are responsible for the preparation of the Report and Consolidated Financial Statements and the relevant mark-up requirements therein, by reference to Capital Markets Rule 5.56A, in accordance with the requirements of the ESEF RTS.
Our responsibilities
Our responsibility is to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the Report and Consolidated Financial Statements and the relevant electronic tagging therein, complies in all material respects with the ESEF RTS based on the evidence we have obtained. We conducted our reasonable assurance engagement in accordance with the requirements of ESEF Directive 6.
Our procedures included:
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Obtaining an understanding of the entity's financial reporting process, including the preparation of the Report and Consolidated Financial Statements, in accordance with the requirements of the ESEF RTS. |
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Obtaining the Report and Consolidated Financial Statements and performing validations to determine whether the Report and Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the technical specifications of the ESEF RTS. |
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Examining the information in the Report and Consolidated Financial Statements to determine whether all the required taggings therein have been applied and whether, in all material respects, they are in accordance with the requirements of the ESEF RTS. |
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We believe that the evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. |
Opinion
In our opinion, the Report and Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 has been prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with the requirements of the ESEF RTS.
Report on the Statement of Compliance with the Principles of Good Corporate Governance
The Capital Market Rules require the directors to prepare and include in their Annual Report a Statement of Compliance providing an explanation of the extent to which they have adopted the Code of Principles of Good Corporate Governance and the effective measures that they have taken to ensure compliance throughout the accounting period with those Principles.
The Capital Market Rules also require us, as the auditor of the Company, to include a report on the Statement of Compliance prepared by the directors.
We read the Statement of Compliance with the Code of Principles of Good Corporate Governance and consider the implications for our report if we become aware of any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the financial statements included in the Annual Report. Our responsibilities do not extend to considering whether this statement is consistent with any other information included in the Annual Report.
We are not required to, and we do not, consider whether the Board’s statements on internal control included in the Statement of Compliance with the Code of Principles of Good Corporate Governance cover all risks and controls, or form an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s corporate governance procedures or its risk and control procedures.
In our opinion, the Corporate governance statement has been properly prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Capital Market Rules.
Other matters on which we are required to report by exception
We also have responsibilities
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under the Companies Act, Cap 386 to report to you if, in our opinion: - adequate accounting records have not been kept, or that returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us - the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns - we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit - certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made in the financial statements, giving the required particulars in our report.
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in terms of Capital Market Rules to review the statement made by the Directors that the business is a going concern together with supporting assumptions or qualifications as necessary. |
We have nothing to report to you in respect of these responsibilities.
Auditor tenure
We were first appointed as auditors of the Company and the Group on 30 September 2016. Our appointment has been renewed annually by a shareholders’ resolution representing a total period of uninterrupted engagement appointment of nine years.
The Principal on the audit resulting in this independent auditor’s report is Alex Brincat.
Grant Thornton
Fort Business Centre
Triq L-Intornjatur, Zone 1
Central Business District
Birkirkara CBD 1050
Malta
Alex Brincat
Principal
27 March 2025