Julie has a leadership and management background in the media and information technology sectors and is currently Chief Executive Officer of Comparison Technologies, a position she has held since November 2019. Julie has over 25 years' experience of working in B2B and B2C media and events businesses delivering on digital transformation and has been a NED of Which? Ltd for the last five years.

Julie has been in executive leadership roles for over 10 years and has led teams in the UK and internationally, launching, acquiring and growing businesses, developing tech products and driving significant value. Julie has created diverse, inclusive and high-performance environments in the organisations she has been a part of. At Hyve, Julie will take on the role of ESG Committee Chair, providing Board-level oversight of the delivery of the Group's ESG strategy.

Richard Last, Chairman of Hyve plc, commented:

I am delighted to welcome Julie to the Board of Hyve. Julie will be an asset to the Group, bringing over 25 years of industry experience leading strategic and digital transformations. I look forward to working with Julie and benefitting from her expertise, as Hyve continues to grow and diversify its products and portfolio.

Julie Harris said:

I am delighted to be joining the board of Hyve Group plc at such an exciting time in the evolution of the business. Out of the impressive transformation programme that Mark and his team have successfully delivered over the last five years, has emerged a portfolio of market-leading events, in advanced economies, with a smart digital diversification strategy and I look forward to being part of the next phase of evolution and growth.

• Hyve is now unrecognisable from its form in 2017, with a streamlined and de-risked portfolio of global, market-leading events and almost 95% of revenue now in advanced economies
• Full schedule of FY22 events ran outside China delivering revenue of £122.5m (2021: £21.8m¹) with a number events outperforming pre-COVID-19 levels 
• 110%² revenue recovery compared to pre-COVID-19 levels in the second half and 90%2 revenue recovery for FY22, on a pro forma basis after excluding China³
• Headline profit before tax of £11.5m (2021: £13.9m¹)
• Headline EBITDA of £23.7m (2021: £28.0m). Excluding the impact of insurance proceeds of £19.3m (2021: £65.0m), headline EBITDA has increased by £41.4m to £4.4m (2021: loss of £37.0m¹)
• Headline diluted earnings per share of 4.2p (2021: 4.9p¹)
• Positive cash generation resulted in adjusted net debt of £71.0m (2021: £79.9m) at the lower end of the £70-90m guidance range from the beginning of FY22
• As a result of the £135 million refinancing completed in October 2022, the Group has a strengthened balance sheet with facilities committed to Autumn 2026 and the financial security to drive further organic growth
• Entering 2023 with momentum and good visibility of earnings through strong forward bookings of £98m (FY22: £67m¹)

Mark Shashoua, CEO of Hyve Group plc, commented:

Strategic and operational highlights

• Successfully completed portfolio transformation with full return of events outside China and strong performance across all KPIs
• Streamlined and de-risked portfolio, focused on advanced economies following disposals of Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, Indonesia and ABEC
• Growing omnichannel portfolio strengthened by acquisitions and successful integration of 121 Group and Fintech Meetup
• NPS scores well above industry average and pre-COVID-19 levels
• Organic growth being driven through product extensions such as Ahead by Bett, Shoptalk Europe and Green Energy Africa and the launch of full-scale meeting programmes following successful trials in FY22
• Meaningful progress in embedding ESG strategy across the business

Outlook

• Strong forward bookings and customer like-for-like spend with FY23 on track to be the third consecutive year of double-digit growth, providing good visibility and confidence in the year ahead
• Clear demand for Hyve events with further new launches planned in 2023
• Proportion of tech-enabled revenues expected to grow as multiple full-scale tech-enabled meetings programmes are rolled out
• Planned investments into growth initiatives to scale up tech-enabled meeting programmes will have a positive impact on revenue and profitability
• Well positioned to deliver operating profit margin growth to ahead of pre-COVID-19 levels over the medium term

Read the full report here. 

Many in-person events already outperforming their pre-COVID editions

Expansion of omnichannel portfolio

£135m debt refinancing and year-end net debt at lower end of guidance

Disposal of Turkish Business in line with the Group's strategy

The Group has continued to streamline its portfolio, in line with its strategy to focus on market leading events in advanced economies, and has entered into an agreement to sell Hyve Fuarcılık Anonim Şirketi and its subsidiaries (the "Turkish Business") for consideration of up to £8m to ICA (JV) Limited.

The Group will receive consideration of £2m on completion, less customary working capital adjustments, and between £4m and £6m of deferred consideration, payable over the six year period until December 2028 based on the profitability of the Turkish Business.

The Turkish Business operates five events in Turkey and for the year ended 30 September 2021 reported a loss before tax of £0.7m. As of 30 September 2021, the Turkish Business had gross assets of £1.9m.

The Directors intend to use the proceeds to reduce the Group's net debt. Completion of the disposal is conditional on completion of the Group's refinancing announced on 3 October 2022.

The disposal of the Turkish Business, following the management buyout of Ukraine announced on 17 July 2022, completes the disposal in full of the Group's Eastern & Southern Europe division. Added to the exits from Russia and Indonesia earlier in the year, the Group has significantly reduced its exposure to more volatile countries and FX rate fluctuations.

The Group's operations are now more concentrated in advanced economies and its US presence has significantly increased compared to previous years. Approximately 30% of the Group's revenues are now generated in the US and therefore the recent strengthening of the dollar against sterling is expected to have a positive impact on the Group's results in FY23.

Strong forward bookings and growth in customer spend give confidence in the outlook for FY23

Positive trading momentum continues as the Group starts FY23, with forward bookings of approximately £68m giving confidence in the year ahead. This compares to £50m this time last year going into FY22[3], which included significant rollovers from events cancelled in FY21. The continuous improvement in trading performance is a testament to the Group's high-quality market leading events enhanced by the successful roll-out of the omnichannel strategy across the portfolio, despite challenges across the wider economic and geopolitical environment.

Uncertainty around running events in China remains, but the Group notes relaxation of the COVID-19 related rules on a region-by-region basis and currently plans to run a full schedule of events in China in FY23. China represents less than 10% of Group revenues.

Mark Shashoua, CEO of Hyve Group plc said:

It is clear that our business has now almost fully recovered from the turbulence of the last two years, and in many cases, we are pleased to have delivered significant growth compared to pre-COVID performance.

"The continued growth of customer like-for-like spend reinforces our strategy of focusing on only market leading events as customers are clearly directing marketing budgets towards key events in their sectors.

"In terms of our geographical focus, we continued to concentrate our capital on high growth industries in advanced economies. The sale of the Turkish Business announced today is another milestone in this direction. We are pleased to have found the right buyer who can offer the necessary investment and support to the team, along with regional expertise. I would like to thank all of the people in the Turkish Business and wish them the best in all of their future success.

"Looking ahead, we must of course remain vigilant/mindful of macroeconomic challenges, however we are optimistic about the next 12 months and this optimism is underpinned by strong forward bookings and an increase in like-for-like customer spend. We enter FY23 with a de-risked and concentrated portfolio of market leading events, clear opportunities for continued growth - both through analogue and digital - and our ever-present commitment and energy to make those a reality.



The Group will be publishing its preliminary results for FY22 on 13^th December 2022.

New £135m debt facilities

Hyve Group plc, the next-generation global events business, today announces the refinancing of the Group's debt. New debt facilities totalling £135m have been signed, comprising a £115m term loan and a £20m super senior revolving credit facility ('SSRCF').

The new debt facilities will replace the Group's previous debt facilities, with the £101m currently drawn to be repaid in full on 20 October 2022 when the new funds are to be drawn.

The £115m term loan is provided by certain funds and/or accounts of HPS Investment Partners, LLC or subsidiaries or affiliates thereof and is repayable over the next four years. Interest is initially payable at a rate of 7.75% over SONIA¹. A minimum liquidity covenant of £21m is in place up to and including August 2023. Thereafter a net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio applies, flatlining at 3x.

The £20m SSRCF is provided by HSBC UK Bank PLC and is available over the next three years and nine months. Interest is initially payable on drawn amounts at 3.5% over SONIA² with a commitment fee of 35% (i.e. 1.225%) payable on undrawn amounts.

Current trading

As announced in the Group's trading update on 27 June 2022, the pace of in-person event recovery in FY22 has exceeded anticipated levels. This trend has continued over the final three months of the financial year in all markets with the exception of China where restrictions continue to disrupt our event schedule and resulted in the cancellation of the August Chinese events.

In September two of the Group's largest events, Autumn Fair and Groceryshop, took place and both significantly outperformed their previous editions. Groceryshop in particular outperformed expectations, reporting revenues more than 40% higher than the largest pre-COVID edition of the event.

Positive trading momentum continues as we approach FY23, with forward bookings for the next financial year currently in excess of £65m. This gives confidence in the FY23 outlook such that that the incremental debt service cost attributable to the increased margin over SONIA is expected to be offset by improved trading performance.

As of 31 August 2022, the Group's cash position was £34.7m and adjusted net debt³ £66.4m, on track to be towards the lower end of the previously stated FY22 year end guidance of £70m-£90m.

Mark Shashoua, CEO of Hyve Group plc said:

I am pleased that we have secured new debt facilities with two partners that share our vision and are aligned with our ambitions. With the continued accelerated pace of recovery, we now have the long-term financial footing to further advance our organic growth and omnichannel strategy.

 

1 Subject to a margin ratchet, with a margin range of 7.5% to 8.0% over SONIA

2 Subject to a margin ratchet, with a margin range of 2.5% to 3.5% over SONIA

3 Adjusted net debt is defined as cash and cash equivalents after deducting bank loans. This is therefore prior to any lease liabilities recognised on the balance sheet and it is excluding cash presented as held for sale.

Hyve Group plc, the next-generation global events business, today announces that, following her appointment as the CEO of the Guardian Media Group, Anna Bateson, Non-Executive Director, has tendered her resignation from the Board of Hyve Group plc ("the Board), effective on 16 September 2022.

Anna joined the Board on 1 March 2022. She is Chair of Hyve's ESG Committee and a member of the Remuneration and Audit Committees. Jo Rabbett, the Group's Chief of Staff, will act as an interim Chair of the ESG Committee.

Richard Last, Chairman of Hyve Group plc, commented:

"On behalf of the Board, I would like to extend my gratitude to Anna for her contribution to Hyve since her appointment earlier this year. While we are disappointed not to have benefited from her valuable experience and insights for longer, we are extremely supportive of her new appointment and look forward to witnessing her success at GMG."

The process is now underway to appoint a new Non-Executive Director and a further announcement will be made in due course.

Hyve Group plc, the next-generation global events business, today announces a trading update for the period from 1 April to 24 June 2022.

Pace of in-person event recovery considerably ahead of anticipated levels

The first half of our 2022 financial year saw faster than anticipated revenue recovery. This momentum continued into Q3, which is now the second busiest quarter for the Group’s streamlined portfolio structure, following the sale of the Russian business in May. Total revenue for the period demonstrated a full recovery on a pro-forma basis, underpinned by the continued strong customer demand for market-leading in-person events, despite on-going macro challenges.

During the period the Group ran all nine scheduled in-person events, with the exception of three events in Ukraine, taking place across four continents. This included some of our major brands, such as Mining Indaba, CWIEME Berlin and Breakbulk Europe, which all delivered increases in like-for-like customer spend compared with their previous editions. In addition, following the highly successful US edition of Shoptalk in March, which became Hyve’s largest event by revenue in history, the Group launched the geo-cloned Europe edition – Shoptalk Europe – in June. This inaugural event almost doubled expectations, attracting over 3,000 attendees from more than 50 countries.

Continued omnichannel evolution

Five tech-enabled meeting programmes also took place during the quarter, including the inaugural Shoptalk Europe, facilitating over 4,700 one-on-one, pre-matched, algorithmically scheduled meetings.
CWIEME Berlin also trialled ‘Meet the Engineer’ and, based on this successful pilot, a full facilitated meetings programme will be rolled out in 2023.

In addition, a number of 121 Mining Investment programmes took place during the quarter, including the first co-located event with Mining Indaba since Hyve’s acquisition of 121 Group in November. This delivered over 1,800 meetings making it the largest programme delivered by 121 Group.

This brings the total number of events for the year to date to 30, which includes 13 tech-enabled programmes.

Strong forward bookings momentum

Forward bookings1 for the full year are currently £122.3m, which excludes £6.5m of bookings for the August Chinese events. This also excludes revenue for events in Ukraine which continue to be postponed until further notice. This performance has been underpinned by the ongoing demand for market-leading in-person events, enhanced by the continued execution of the Group’s omnichannel strategy, and despite COVID-19 disruption in some geographies and challenges across the wider geopolitical environment.

While there continues to be uncertainty around running events in China in the near term, the Group notes the beginning of a relaxation of COVID-19-related restrictions in certain regions, however this situation remains fluid.

Bookings for Groceryshop, due to be held in September, are tracking in line with expectations and are expected to exceed the pre-COVID-19 edition.

Disposal

The Group continues to streamline its portfolio focusing on events which are, or have the potential to be, market-leading. In June the Group completed the disposal of its loss-making 50% interest in Debindo Unggul Buana Makmur in Indonesia, for a total consideration of £0.5m.

This five-year drive for quality has fundamentally changed the makeup of the Group’s in-person event portfolio, which has gone from 269 events, with a c. 90% weighting towards emerging markets, to a de-risked portfolio of 50 market-leading events, 88% of which are rooted in advanced economies.

Improved net debt position

Net debt at 31 May 2022 reduced to approximately £53m (31 March 2022: £64m) which includes the receipt of insurance proceeds of £8.7m in May and bookings for upcoming events. The Group maintains its strong liquidity position, with net debt tracking at the lower end of previously stated year end net debt guidance of £70m-£90m. The refinancing process is in progress, with the Group in discussions with existing and prospective lenders.

• Continued recovery of in-person events at a rate faster than anticipated, with some surpassing pre-pandemic levels

• Events in China disrupted by reinstatement of COVID-19 restrictions, which also impact Chinese international travel  

• Market leading high-quality events driving customer spend and strong forward bookings

• De-risked portfolio following Russian exit and strategic acquisitions enhancing omnichannel strategy

• Entering the second half of FY22 with momentum and a streamlined portfolio of market-leading, omnichannel products, focused on high growth industries

 
Mark Shashoua, CEO of Hyve Group plc, commented:
‘Over the last six months we have, once again, had to respond to challenges outside of our control. Thanks to the hard work of our people around the world, not only did we successfully navigate these challenges, but we are now seeing a strong recovery and have moved significantly closer to our long-term vision, more quickly than expected.
 
Hyve is almost unrecognisable compared with just five years ago. Having evolved from a predominantly emerging markets business, today we have a de-risked portfolio of market leading events, mostly focused on the UK, US and European markets. As such, going forward our focus will be on sectors, rather than geographies. This is a significant shift for Hyve, but absolutely the right one for creating sustainable value for stakeholders.
 
We continue to expand our brands by launching new products, such as Shoptalk Europe, Ahead by Bett, Green Energy Africa and the first in-person Fintech Meetup event, and applying new propositions, such as our facilitated meetings programmes. This innovation is crucial to our success, and we continue to invest in our future growth.
 
We expect the strong momentum we have seen in the first half of the year to continue. Our in-person events are recovering faster than anticipated, with many having already fully recovered. Whilst there are clearly global economic and geopolitical headwinds, the Group is in a strong position with renewed confidence. This will serve Hyve well when navigating through any potential challenges.
 

1. Results from continuing operations only. Results for the six months to 31 March 2021 and year ended 30 September 2021 have been restated throughout the Interim Results to exclude the results from the Russian business which are presented as discontinued operations.
2. Headline profit before tax is defined as profit from continuing operations before tax and adjusting items, which include amortisation of acquired intangibles, impairment of assets, profits or losses arising on disposal of Group undertakings, transaction costs on completed and pending acquisitions and disposals, tax on income from joint ventures, gains or losses on the revaluation of deferred/contingent consideration and on equity option liabilities over non-controlling interests, and imputed interest charges/credits on discounted deferred/contingent consideration – see note 3 to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements for details.
3. The gross proceeds from insurance claims under the Group’s cancellation insurance policies are recognised in the income statement when the receipt of the proceeds is virtually certain. Of the £10.6m (2021: £49.0m) recognised in the period, £nil (2021: £34.2m) is in respect of FY20 events cancelled in FY20 and £10.6m (2021: £14.8m) is in respect of FY21 events cancelled in the prior year.
4. Adjusted net debt is defined as cash and cash equivalents after deducting bank loans. This is therefore prior to any lease liabilities recognised on the balance sheet and it is excluding cash presented as held for sale.
5. Headline diluted earnings per share is calculated using profit attributable to shareholders from continuing operations before adjusting items – see notes 3 and 6 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for details. The headline and statutory results have been restated as a result of a prior period adjustment and for discontinued operations in order to provide a comparative measure – see note 1 and note 7 to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements for details. As a result, basic and diluted and headline basic and diluted earnings per share for March 2021 have also been restated.

Financial performance ahead of expectations as events recover faster than expected

• £58.6m revenue (2021: £5.0m), ahead of full year revenues for FY21 and reflecting the return to pre-pandemic schedule of events with the exception of China

• Headline profit before tax of £9.5m (2021: £29.4m). Excluding the impact of insurance proceeds received of £10.6m (2021: £49.0m), the Group’s headline profits would have increased by £18.5m, which reflects the strong recovery of the Group’s events

• Adjusted net debt improved to £64.4m (2021: £92.4m) as a result of a return to positive operating cashflow and insurance proceeds

• Liquidity position of £140.5m (2021: £122.6m) has been maintained despite macroeconomic headwinds faced

• Covenant waivers secured up to and including March 2023 and, following the sale of the Russian business, a refinancing process has commenced

Strategic highlights

• 21 (2021: seven) in-person events ran with a faster pace of recovery than expected, and some having surpassed pre-pandemic levels:

  • Domestic events attendance substantially recovered

  • International business travel resuming faster than previously anticipated, except to and from China

  • Continued investment in in-person events with the rollout of facilitated meetings on Spring Fair and Bett

  • Launch of new in-person events in response to customer demand: Ahead by Bett in the first half of the financial year; Shoptalk Europe in the second half and Fintech Meetup and Green Energy Africa Summit in 2023

• Almost full return to pre-pandemic event schedule, with the exception of China

• Exceptional performance from the first Shoptalk to run under Hyve ownership outperforming all expectations by delivering a double-digit increase in like-for-like revenue compared to its 2019 edition

• Continued expansion of omnichannel portfolio in key digital transformation ready sectors, with eight (2021: one) tech-enabled programmes successfully delivered in the reporting period

• Strategic acquisitions of 121 Group and Fintech Meetup accelerate the rollout of the Group’s omnichannel strategy

• Diversifying the Board with two new Non-Executive Directors, Anna Bateson and Rachel Addison, who joined Hyve on 1 March 2022, following the departures of Stephen Puckett and Sharon Baylay

Continued support of Ukrainian colleagues

• The Group continues to be in regular communication with those usually based in Ukraine. Salaries have been paid early and support offered to all staff, including relocation assistance

• Events in Ukraine postponed until further notice

Exit of Russian market

• In response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the Group announced its intention to exit the Russian market on 15 March 2022; on 13 May 2022 the Group completed the disposal of the Russian business for a maximum cash consideration of up to £72 million, wholly structured as earn out consideration payable over a ten-year period; the group retained c. £10m from the Russian business prior to closing the sale (see note 7)

• This solution provided stability for the local team, while crystalising some value for shareholders

• The sale of the Russian business accelerated the Group’s portfolio refocus towards advanced economies and omnichannel-ready sectors

Outlook

• Momentum continuing into the second half, with forward bookings of £118m (2021: £28m) for FY22

• COVID-19 related restrictions continue to have an impact, concentrated in China, affecting domestic events and Chinese participation in the Group’s other events

• Clear omnichannel growth opportunities lie ahead through the roll out of further facilitated meetings programmes

• Net debt for the year ending 30 September 2022 expected to be in the range of £70m - £90m

• Over the medium term, we expect to return to the level of operating profit margins achieved prior to the COVID-19 pandemic

• Following a successful first half, Hyve enters the second half of FY22 with a de-risked and streamlined portfolio of market-leading, omnichannel products, concentrated in growing industries.

Analyst and investor conference call and webcast

There will be an analyst and investor presentation hosted by Mark Shashoua, Chief Executive and John Gulliver, Chief Finance and Operations Officer at 9.30 a.m. today. To join presentation please use the following link:
https://kvgo.com/IJLO/Hyve_HY22_Interim_Results
There is also a facility to join the presentation and Q&As via a conference call. Participants should dial:
 
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A playback facility will be available shortly after the presentation had finished