Annual Financial Report.

Chairman's Statement

 

RESULTS AND REVIEW

 

For the year ended 31 December 2024, the audited consolidated loss of Worldsec Limited (the "Company") and its subsidiaries (together the "Group") was US$55,000, compared with a profit of US$58,000 in 2023. Loss per share were US0.06 cent (2023 earnings per share: US0.07 cent). Net asset value per share was US6.4 cents (2023: US6.5 cents).

 

During the year ended 31 December 2024, there was a net positive change in the fair value of the Group's unlisted financial assets amounting to US$289,000. As at the end of 2024, cash and cash equivalents amounted to US$701,000, compared with US$1.12 million as at the end of 2023. The decline in cash and cash equivalents basically reflected the use of cash in operating and investment activities.

 

Detailed discussion of the results and financial position of the Group is set out in the directors' report on pages 3 to 27.

 

PROSPECTS

 

Global economy remained resilient in 2024, estimated by the International Monetary Fund to have grown at an annual rate of 3.2%. While the recovery trend from the COVID-19 pandemic and the era of high inflation and elevated interest rates had been encouraging, the recovery has abruptly been disrupted by a series of tariff measures introduced by the Trump Administration. On 2 April 2024, leveraging national security powers, President Trump issued an executive order imposing a new round of heightened and sweeping tariffs on goods imported from U.S. trading partners including, in particular, China. The baseline rate was 10%. But there were also country-specific reciprocal tariffs which, in the case of China, could rise up to 245% following the Chinese retaliatory responses. Tariff revenue will, no doubt, provide a monumental source of income for the U.S. coffers, but they will inevitably have serious repercussions that could lead to an unintended consequence of what could be a prolonged period of economic uncertainty and volatility around the globe including the U.S.

 

The tariff policies under multiple executive orders issued by President Trump aim to reshore the U.S. manufacturing industry and address the trade deficits of the U.S. with its trading partners. However, the efficacy of the measures has raised serious concerns. Domestic production capability falling short of local consumption needs, compounded by labour constraints in the U.S. for lower value-added economic activities, necessitate reliance on imports, which have arguably been financed at favourably distorted pricing thanks to the status of the U.S. dollars as the de facto global reserve currency. But the tariffs, expected to cause substantial economic pain for the American consumers, are widely perceived as a consumption tax hike that could push the U.S. economy to a depressed state. The reaction from the stock and bond markets was a major sell-off with surging volatility, wiping out trillions of U.S. dollars in stocks and Treasuries and setting in motion an outflow in American financial assets as reflected by the U.S. dollar weakness. Should the outflow trend escalate into a full-blown exodus, there could be far-reaching implications, limiting the U.S. government's access to favourable rates to finance its enormous borrowings.

 

Equally concerning was the Trump Administration's unilateral approach in initiating the tariffs, which disregarded World Trade Organisation rules and sparked a tariff tantrum. This could reshape the global trade order, accelerating economic fragmentation and deglobalisation, ultimately jeopardising the long-term growth and well-being of the world economy. Perhaps because of the overwhelmingly reproachful reaction from the financial markets, especially in the rout in Treasuries, the Trump Administration has begun moderating its stance and rhetoric, indicating readiness to accept concessions and reduce tariffs, even though the situation continues to be highly fluid with tariff policy shifts occurring at an unprecedented pace. Moreover, whether successful negotiations on bilateral deals with U.S. trading partners, China in particular, could be reached remains uncertain. Amid these unsettling uncertainties, forecasting growth is a daunting task, requiring a multitude of assumptions that could become inapt under the ephemeral tariff policy shifts. Nonetheless, the International Monetary Fund has published a revised global economic growth forecast from 3.3% to 2.8% for 2025, while the World Trade Organisation has sharply downgraded its 2025 global trade growth forecast from a 2.7% expansion to a 0.2% contraction.

 

Prior to the disruptions triggered by the tariff policies of the Trump Administration, private equity acquisition and exit activities rebounded in 2024, with total global deal volume rising by 22% to US$1.7 trillion from US$1.3 trillion in 2023. The decline in interest rates helped narrow valuation gaps, and reasonable discounts in valuation attracted investors to new investments. Improved market conditions also provided exit opportunities, particularly for those private equity firms with large investment portfolio inventories. However, the introduction of the tariffs poses new hurdles and challenges. The momentum of the private equity market in 2024, although carried into early 2025, will inevitably be disrupted. But with massive dry powder accumulated during the ultra-low interest rate era, the large-capitalisation funds are expected to seize opportunities for bargain deals, particularly from those needed to raise liquidity. Among industries, automobiles, machinery, industrial equipment and chemicals are likely to be more affected, while technology, especially AI, services, healthcare and renewables should be able to fare better. Given its longer-term investment horizon and holding power, the private equity sector may be less impacted by the uncertainties associated with the tariff war compared to the broader economy.

 

 

NOTE OF APPRECIATION

 

I wish to thank my fellow directors and staff for their efforts and contributions made during the year ended 31 December 2024. I would also like to extend a note of appreciation to shareholders for their continued support of the Company.

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                               Alastair Gunn-Forbes

                                                                                               Non-Executive Chairman

                                                                                               29 April 2025

 

The directors submit the annual report of the Company and the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries for the year ended 31 December 2024.

 

 

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES

 

The principal activity of the Company is investment holding. The Company and its subsidiaries are principally engaged in investment in unlisted companies in the Greater China and South East Asian region.

 

 

RESULTS AND FINANCIAL POSITION

 

The audited consolidated loss of the Company and its subsidiaries for the year ended 31 December 2024 was US$55,000, compared with a profit of US$58,000 in 2023. Loss per share was US0.06 cent (2023 earnings per share: US0.07 cent). The corresponding 2023 profit figures were substantially boosted by the gain from the disposal of one of the Group's investee companies. In the absence of any meaningful disposal contribution, the loss for 2024 essentially represented operating expenses that were partially offset by a net positive change amounting to US$289,000 in the fair value of the Group's unlisted financial assets under what was a mostly lacklustre investment climate in the Greater China and South East Asian region.

 

During the year under review, the Group's Investment in the ICBC Specialised Ship Leasing Investment Fund (the "ICBC Shipping Fund") continued to provide a stable return, generating dividend income totalling US$96,000. In addition, there were dividends aggregated from its stock market investment portfolio that amounted to US$22,000. 

 

As at 31 December 2024, the net assets of the Group stood at US$5.43 million (2023: US$5.50 million). Net asset value per share was US6.4 cents (2023: US6.5 cents).  Reflecting basically the use of cash in operating and investment activities, cash and cash equivalents declined to US$701,000 from US$1.12 million a year ago.

 

Further details of the Group's results and financial position are set out in the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income on page 34, the consolidated statement of financial position on page 35 and notes to the consolidated financial statements on pages 39 to70.

 

The Board does not propose to declare any dividend for the year ended 31 December 2024 (2023: nil).

 

 

REVIEW

 

The Company is a closed-ended investment company listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange under the Closed-ended Investment Funds segment governed by UKLR 11 of the UK Listing Rules published by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom (the "UKLR"). In accordance with the Company's investment policy, a copy of which is set out on page 71, the investment strategy of the Group focuses on investing in small to medium sized trading companies based mainly in the Greater China and South East Asian region with a view to building a diversified portfolio of minority investments in such companies. The investment objective of the Company is to achieve attractive investment returns through capital appreciation on a medium to long term horizon. To spread the investment risk of the Group, none of the Group's investments at the time when made exceeded 20% of its gross assets.

 

 

 As at the date of this report, the investment portfolio of the Group strategically spans six sectors, namely shipping and maritime finance, gaming, blockchain and the Web3 economy, mobile app platform technology, social e-commerce and AI, online grocery and food retail, LiDAR solutions and autonomous driving, as well as education, with a view to ensuring sectoral diversification. The Group's investments include the ICBC Shipping Fund, Animoca Brands Corporation Limited ("Animoca"), ByteDance Ltd. ("ByteDance"), Dingdong (Cayman) Limited ("Dingdong"), Seyond Holdings Ltd. ("Seyond", formerly Innovusion Holdings Ltd.) and Oasis Education Group Limited ("Oasis Education"), with operations across China and international markets. This diversified approach aligns with the Company's investment objective of achieving medium to long term capital appreciation while mitigating the investment risk of the Group.

 

ICBC Shipping Fund

 

The Group's investment in the ICBC Shipping Fund, which is involved in shipping and maritime finance, continued to provide a stable contribution generating dividend income amounting to US$96,000 for the year ended 31 December 2024.

 

Animoca through VS SPC Limited ("VS SPC")

 

The Group holds, through the Class A Participating Shares of VS SPC, an investment in the equity interest of Animoca.

 

Incorporated in Australia, Animoca was formerly listed on the Australian Securities Exchange but was delisted in 2020. It is a holding company of a technology group engaged in gamification and blockchain activities with operations across three integrated business pillars comprising (i) Web3 businesses with native projects including Moca Network, Open Campus, Anichess, GAMEE, The Sandbox, NEOM Web3 initiatives, as well as a regulated stablecoin venture in partnership with Standard Chartered and HKT; (ii) digital asset advisory services including tokenomic advisory, liquidity provisioning and institutional research for the Web3 space; and (iii) investment management with a portfolio of crypto, blockchain and Web3 investments in over 540 companies including industry leaders Pudgy Penguins, Yuga Labs, Axie Infinity, Polygon, Consensys, Magic Eden, OpenSea, Dapper Labs, YGG, among many others. The Animoca group has broad industry and market recognitions as  winners in Fortune Crypto 40, and Financial Times' High Growth Companies Asia-Pacific, Top 50 Blockchain Game Companies and Deloitte Tech Fast.

 

After weathering and emerging from the harsh crypto winter marred by widespread sell-offs, contagion concerns and frauds in the cryptosphere, the digital asset market and the Web3 economy continued to improve during 2024. The improved environment had a positive impact on the operations of the Animoca group. According to the unaudited financial information disclosed in the investor update released by Animoca on 5 March 2025, bookings¹ of the Animoca group increased by 12% to US$314 million for the year ended 31 December 2024, with contributions of US$110 million from Web3 businesses, US$165 million from digital asset advisory services and US$39 million from investment management. Operating expenses, on the other hand, decreased by 12% to US$217 million, thanks to cost reduction efforts and deployment of new AI tools. As at 31 December 2024, cash and stablecoin balances, digital assets and off-balance sheet token reserves² stood at US$293 million, US$538 million and US$2.9 billion, respectively.

 

¹ a non-IFRS measure commonly used in the gaming space to better represent the underlying business trend by including deferred revenue

² not classified as assets under IFRS

 

 

 

Certain recent business highlights of the Animoca group are set out below:

 

(i)    Web3 Businesses

 

Moca Network

² Moca Network is a chain-agnostic digital identity infrastructure project that provides one universal account for a user's assets, identity and reputation across multiple ecosystems, and is powered by MOCA Coin, which serves as the utility token for data generation, storage, verification for users, AI agents and decentralised autonomous organisation governance.

² During the fourth quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025, the Animoca group announced a number of key Moca Network partnerships that included collaborations with SYMBIOGENESIS, SK Planet, Plume and Soneium in various Web3, blockchain and digital identity projects.

² In November 2024, Animoca secured an extra US$10 million funding, in addition to the previous financing of a total of US$31.88 million, to fast-track and scale Moca Network's operations.

² Following the announcement of the partnership between Moca Network and SK Planet, one of South Korea's largest information and communication technology platforms, MOCA Coin was listed on two major digital asset exchanges in South Korea, Upbit and Bithumb, in December 2024.

 

Open Campus and TinyTap

² Open Campus is a community-led decentralised autonomous organisation that operates an on-chain education network and is backed by Animoca and TinyTap. TinyTap is a social platform that enables the creation, sharing and monetisation of interactive educational games and lessons.

² In October 2024, Open Campus announced plans to enter the student finance sector and tokenise the US$2.2 trillion student finance market. TinyTap also established the EDU Scholarship Fund, providing students with up to US$1,000 in EDU credit usable on its platform.

² EDU is the governance and utility token used by Open Campus. The EDU token was listed on Bullish exchange in December 2024.

² The testnet campaign for Open Campus' EDU Chain, a Layer3 blockchain built on Arbitrum Orbit for education-focused apps and on-chain education finance, was launched in September 2024 and ran through to January 2025, recording 2.3 million unique active wallets and 116 million transactions and validating the technical readiness ahead of the official release the mainnet in January 2025.

 

Anichess

² Anichess is a Web3 chess-based strategy game developed in partnership between Animoca and Chess.com, a leading global online chess platform.

² In October 2024, Anichess launched the public alpha version that introduced player-versus-player mode, AI training and four gameplay formats.

² To strengthen its presence in the region, Anichess also teamed up with Yield Guild Games to distribute the chess-based game in Southeast Asia, one of the top three markets in terms of Anichess' registered players,

 

GAMEE

² GAMEE is a mobile gaming platform that focuses on onboarding a mass gaming audience to Web3, serving over 100 million registered users with more than 10 billion gameplay sessions across multiple ecosystems.

 

 

 

² In December 2024, GAMEE announced the launch of GAMEE AdNetwork, a community-owned tokenised advertising network powered by the GAMEE token, GMEE. GAMEE AdNetwork leverages the vast reach of GAMEE with a view to redefining digital advertising and ensuring value to be shared between advertisers and viewers. Viewers engage with adverts are rewarded with in-game benefits and other ecosystem advantages. By the end of 2024, GAMEE AdNetwork had successfully executed a total of 17 advertising campaigns.

 

The Sandbox

² The Sandbox is a decentralised metaverse where participants create, build, buy and sell digital assets using Sand, the ERC-20 utility token based on the Ethereum blockchain.  

² The Alpha Season 4 of the Sandbox started on 9 October 2024 and lasted until 18 December 2024, featuring collaborations with over 40 global brands including Attack on Titan, Playboy, The British Museum and The Smurfs. More than 580,000 unique players completed upwards of 39 million quests, logging in a total in excess of 1 million gameplay hours.

 

(ii)   Digital Asset Advisory Services

 

Over the course of 2024, the Animoca group provided digital asset advisory services to 21 Web3 projects, generating token advisory revenue totalling US$68 million. It also generated total sales of US$97 million from market-making, treasury management, blockchain node operations and yield-generating trading strategies.

 

(iii) Investment Management

 

In the fourth quarter of 2024, Animoca made a total of 12 new investments, bringing the total number for the year to over 70. These investments cover more than 20 sectors, ranging from AI to decentralized finance and gaming. Notable among them included 0G Labs, Cookie3, FLock, MyShell, Talus and Igloo which is the parent company of the NFT project Pudgy Penguins.

 

Animoca, in particular, focused on the AI sector, acquiring liquid tokens from AI-themed projects such as Virtuals, ai16z, Aixbt, Griffain and HeyAnon.  

 

Key AI Initiatives

 

Apart from investing in the AI sector, Animoca has also forged partnerships with various AI-centric entities. Its collaboration with Virtuals aims to accelerate the convergence of AI agent-driven technology and gaming to enhance interactive gaming experiences. The partnership between Animoca and FLock is envisaged to leverage Flock's federated learning and AI training infrastructure to develop decentralised models for blockchain applications. HeyAni, an AI-powered venture capital agent incubated by Animoca and trained by Animoca's investment and research teams, plans to launch a platform where users can submit business proposals or token-related inquiries to receive real-time AI-generated feedback.

 

Other Business Highlights

 

In late 2024, Animoca expanded its operational footprint in Hong Kong by opening a 28,000-square-foot office facility in a prominent technology district on the southern side of Hong Kong Island. This initiative reflects Animoca's enduring confidence in Hong Kong's potential as a global hub for Web3 infrastructure and digital innovation.

 

In a general meeting of shareholders held on 23 December 2024, the appointment of Hall Chadwick as the Animoca group's auditor was approved. Hall Chadwick has experience in accounting standards relevant to digital asset transactions and has the resources necessary to assist Animoca in complying with financial reporting requirements.

 

 

 

 

ByteDance through the Homaer Asset Management Master Fund SPC (the "Homaer Fund")

 

The Group holds, through the Unicorn Equity Investment Portfolio Class A Shares of the Homaer Fund, an investment in the equity interest of ByteDance.

 

ByteDance is an unlisted holding company of a technology group that operates a series of mobile app platforms powered by AI across cultures and geographies. The ByteDance group has a portfolio of products that are available in over 150 markets and 75 languages and that includes, among others, Douyin, Toutiao, TikTok, Xigua Video, Helo, Lark and BytePlus. 

 

ByteDance demonstrated resilient financial performance in 2024, outperforming its peers despite a sluggish Chinese economy and amid persistent geopolitical challenges. Fuelled by Douyin's dominance in livestream e-commerce and TikTok's expanding monetisation capabilities, the ByteDance group was reported to have achieved a year-on-year increase of 29% in revenue. International revenue growth surpassed domestic performance, surging 63% to US$39 billion to account for 25% of total sales. Net profit was reported to have reached US$33 billion.

 

Capitalising on this financial foundation, ByteDance has prioritised AI ambitions at the core of its strategic focus. The ByteDance group holds an exceptionally advantageous position, benefiting from a staggering accumulation of data derived from a host of massive user bases associated with the mobile apps it has successfully developed over the years. This big data trove is the linchpin to advancing the AI ambitions of ByteDance.

 

During 2024, the ByteDance group allocated capital expenditure in AI-related research and development amounting to US$11 billion, nearly the combined total of that of Baidu, Alibaba and Tencent, as highlighted in a research note published by a major Chinese securities firm. Projections for 2025 indicate a doubling of AI-related capital spending to US$22 billion, targeting key investments in computing infrastructure and advanced model development. Additionally, in complementing its technical roadmap and to assuage geopolitical concerns, TikTok was reportedly planning to invest US$8.8 billion in data centres in Thailand over the next five years.

 

Meantime, the ByteDance group continued to expand its AI product portfolio:

 

Powered by the Daubao large language model family (the "Doubao LLM Family") and offering capabilities ranging from creative content generation to enterprise-grade data analysis, Doubao AI chatbot had attracted over 70 million monthly active users by December 2024, according to the mobile Internet business intelligence service provider QuestMobile. Having been integrated into, among others, Douyin and with a low cost of usage as well as a freemium access model, Doubao AI chatbot has solidified its role as a gateway to the AI ecosystem of the ByteDance group.

 

The Doubao LLM Family, which has developed 12 specialised models designed to address specific challenges, serves as the backbone of the AI infrastructure of the ByteDance group, powering applications in natural language processing, speech synthesis and code generation. The model framework has, through the utilisation of the Mixture-of-Experts machine learning technique and hybrid precision training, introduced the ultra-sparse memory network technology to reduce costs and improve training efficiency and inference speed. The newly enhanced flagship version, Doubao 1.5 Pro, excels in AI reasoning and knowledge representation, particularly in Chinese language tasks. The Doubao LLM Family has reportedly been integrated with eight of the mainstream automotive brands and into more than 300 million smart devices in China with usage surging 100-fold during the second half of 2024.

 

Developed by the ByteDance group, Trae is an AI-powered programming tool that enhances coding efficiency through smart code generation, real-time task automation and workflow streamlining and supports cross-language programming. The China-specific version, powered by Doubao-1.5-Pro and launched in March 2025, became China's first AI-native integrated development environment software suite, excelling in context-aware debugging and regulatory-compliant hybrid cloud deployment.

 

 

The AI commercialisation strategy of the ByteDance group has also evolved to start embracing converged hardware-software ecosystems. The Ola Friend smart headphones, equipped with Doubao's real-time translation engine, achieves 150-millisecond bidirectional Mandarin-English latency, a delay claimed to be less than that of Google Pixel Buds Pro, owing possibly to the use of localised infrastructure rather than global cloud processing. On the other hand, even though the AI-powered companion toy, Xianyanbao, has only been introduced by the ByteDance group as a gift item and has yet to be officially launched as a commercial product, it has gained favourable publicity and popularity for blending education, entertainment and companionship through interactive engagement and shows good future market potential.

 

In pursuit of building a robust AI research foundation to navigate the evolving technological landscape in the long term and to sustain long-term development and growth, Dr. Yonghui Wu, a veteran Google researcher with expertise in, among others, machine learning and natural language processing, has been appointed to lead the newly formed Seed Edge team at the ByteDance group. This marks a pivot in the strategic direction of ByteDance to seek broader innovation goals. Separate from the division that focuses on metric-driven product application development with a near-term contribution objective, the Seed Edge team under the leadership of Dr. Yonghui Wu is set to concentrate on foundational and theoretical artificial general intelligence research towards long-term intelligence optimisation that could have far-reaching implications in the highly competitive technological landscape.

 

Aside from the AI business expansion, the ByteDance group continued to maintain a strong foothold in the mobile app space. Douyin and TikTok became the first non-gaming apps generating an aggregate of US$6 billion in annual gross in-app purchase revenue in 2024. This figure was more than double that of any other app or game during the same period. In fact, the two platforms set a new quarterly record, generating US$1.9 billion in gross in-app purchase revenue in the fourth quarter last year.

 

Additionally, driven by strategic recalibrations and targeted global expansion efforts, the social e-commerce segment of the ByteDance group also performed well in 2024. Domestically, Douyin e-commerce recorded GMV of US$478 billion last year, representing a 35% year-on-year growth, as revealed in the ByteDance group's 2025 all-hands meeting. This performance solidified Douyin's position as China's third-largest e-commerce platform, trailing only Alibaba's Taotian Group and PDD Holdings. Internationally, TikTok Shop achieved global non-China GMV of US$32.6 billion, according to video commerce data analytics firm Tabcut.com. The U.S. was TikTok Shop's largest single-country market with a 28% GMV contribution. The South East Asian region, led by Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, collectively accounted for 69% of global non-China GMV, cementing its role in leading the expansion of TikTok Shop.

 

On the geopolitical front, TikTok remains a thorny subject in the U.S. On January 17 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, authorising the TikTok ban unless ByteDance divests its U.S. operations by January 20 2025. However, President Trump intervened on his first day in office by issuing an executive order to delay the ban enforcement for 75 days, extending the enforcement date to April 5 2025. But the thorny situation, which was reportedly on the verge of a resolution, was abruptly further complicated by a new round of heightened and sweeping tariff measures unveiled by the Trump Administration against a host of trading partners including China. While President Trump issued a second executive order on April 4 2025 for another enforcement delay until June 19 2025, TikTok was unfortunately caught in middle of the trade war being used as a bargaining chip between the two economic powerhouses. This became an added uncertainty for the TikTok divestiture deal. Nonetheless, TikTok maintains 170 million monthly active users in the U.S. and retained its position as the U.S.'s second-most-downloaded app with 52 million downloads in 2024 according to Sensor Tower. But because of the tariffs imposed on Chinese imports, sales of China-related platforms including TikTok Shop in the U.S. have begun to fall as U.S. price-sensitive consumers perforce adjust their shopping habits of low cost online purchasing ahead of the end of the tariff de minimis exemption for items valued below US$800 on 2 May 2025.

 

From time to time, ByteDance conducts share buybacks from the employees of the ByteDance group. In March 2025, the buyback offer was priced at $189.90 per share, valuing ByteDance at US$315 billion. Moreover, based on information contained in regulatory filings and estimates from various sources, a number of major ByteDance investors have reportedly revalued ByteDance at more than US$400 billion. Accordingly, an upward revaluation, albeit on a conservative basis, leading to a positive change in the carrying value of the Group's investment in ByteDance held through the Homaer Fund has been recognised for the year ended 31 December 2024.

 

Dingdong

 

Subsequent to the listing of Dingdong on the New York Stock Exchange, the Group directly holds its investment in the American depositary shares of Dingdong (the "Dingdong ADS").

 

Dingdong is the holding company of an e-commerce group that operates a mobile app, Dingdong Maicai, providing users and households with fresh groceries, prepared food and other food products supported by a self-operated frontline fulfillment grid with over 40 regional processing centres and more than 1000 frontline fulfillment stations on leased properties. The operations of the Dingdong group cover 25 cities across China with a significant portion of revenue derived from the Yangtze River Delta Megalopolis. The Dingdong group has also launched a series of private label products spanning a variety of food categories mostly supported by self-operated production facilities.

 

During 2024, the Dingdong group achieved a significant financial breakthrough with both non-GAAP net income³ and GAAP net income reaching record highs. Based on, among others, the 2024 audited consolidated financial statements filed by Dingdong with the regulatory authority, revenue grew year-on-year for four straight quarters to an annual total of RMB23.1 billion (US$3.16 billion) on the back of the continued expansion in the fulfillment station network in the Yangtze River Delta Megalopolis and thanks to the increasing number of monthly transacting users and the increasing frequency of monthly purchases per user. Gross profit margin was largely maintained at around the 30% level. Consequent of the improved operational efficiency arising from the increase in order volumes and the continued improvement in the layout of the regional processing centres, fulfillment expenses as a percentage of revenue decreased from 23.5% in 2023 to 22.0% in 2024. This had a particularly beneficial impact on the highly competitive and thin-margin operations of the Dingdong group. Non-GAAP net income³, which had registered nine consecutive quarterly profitability, surged over eightfold year-on-year to reach a record high of RMB422.9 million (US$57.9 million) in 2024, while GAAP net income achieved the first annual profitability at RMB304.4 million (US$41.7 million) during the same period.

 

³ a non-GAAP measure widely considered to be a useful indicator of the underlying business trend by excluding the non-cash charges of share-based compensation

 

Likewise, with record-breaking profits, coupled with the optimisation of capital usage and financing structure, cash flow performance was equally impressive. Cash generated from operating activities, which had registered six consecutive quarters of net inflow, hit a net inflow record of RMB929.0 million (US$127.3 million) for 2024. This had further strengthened the financial position of the Dingdong group, raising net cash balance, calculated by deducting short-term borrowings from the sum of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments, to RMB2.85 billion (US$389.9 million) by the year end.

 

 

During 2024, 130 new frontline fulfillment stations were opened in the Yangtze River Delta Megalopolis, surpassing the original target of 110. In the fourth quarter last year, the number of monthly transacting users and the frequency of monthly purchases per user increased by 16% and 3% year-on-year to 7.74 million and 4.2 times, respectively, representing two of the key drivers that contributed to revenue growth. Operational efficiency also improved, as reflected by a two-minute reduction in the average order fulfillment time to 34 minutes. This has further enhanced the competitiveness of the Dingdong group in the highly competitive and thin-margin online grocery and food retail industry.

 

Notwithstanding the financial breakthrough of the Dingdong group with record-breaking profits underpinned by robust operational performance, and despite a rather short-lived rebound during the fourth quarter of 2024, the price of the Dingdong ADS resumed its disappointing trend and plummeted sharply amid the panic selling triggered by the new round of heightened and sweeping tariff measures unveiled by the Trump Administration. Nevertheless, with an exposure solely to the domestic market in China and operating in an industry that provides staple goods and daily necessities to the mass public, the Dingdong group is in a relatively safe position to navigate through the economic impact and challenges of the unfolding tariff war. This apparent disconnect between the price of the Dingdong ADS and the underlying fundamentals of the Dingdong group appears to have developed into a characteristic normal for the online grocery retailer.

 

Seyond through the Hermitage Galaxy Fund SPC attributable to the Hermitage Fund Twelve SP (the "Hermitage Fund Twelve")

 

The Group holds, through the Class A Participating Shares of the Hermitage Fund Twelve, an investment in the equity interest of Seyond.

 

Founded and headquartered in Silicon Valley in California in the U.S., Seyond is an unlisted holding company of a technology group that specialises in the design, development and production of automotive-grade LiDAR solutions for autonomous driving and other automotive and non-automotive application scenarios. The product portfolio of the Seyond group encompasses (i) hardware products that primarily include the ultra-long-range LiDAR sensors, the Falcon series which is based on the 1550nm wavelength technology, and the long-range/wide field-of-view LiDAR sensors, the Robin series which utilises the 905nm wavelength technology; and (ii) the OmniVidi perception software suite that extends the functioning of the sensor hardware. According to China Insights Industry Consultancy ("CIC"), an independent market research and consulting firm, the Seyond group was the world's first provider of automotive-grade LiDAR solutions to achieve volume production.

 

Through the announcement made on 20 December 2024 by TechStar Acquisition Corporation ("TechStar"), a special purpose acquisition company listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, Seyond unveiled its listing plan by way of a de-SPAC transaction with TechStar (the "De-SPAC Transaction"). As detailed in the announcement and the application proof for the De-SPAC Transaction subsequently published on 26 February 2025 (the "Application Proof"), the Seyond group had achieved significant progress in recent years. In 2022, it began volume production and delivery of automotive-grade LiDAR solutions for Nio, a leading company in the premium smart electric vehicle industry and a major investor in Seyond. Over the years, the Seyond group had strengthened its production capabilities with facilities in Suzhou, Deqing and Pinghu in China, alongside a dual-supplier system to ensure stable and high-quality component access. By improving operational efficiency and leveraging economies of scale, it had streamlined production processes, reduced costs and enhanced gross margins. Beyond automotive applications, its LiDAR solutions have also been incorporated and applied in various non-automotive application scenarios including smart transportation and mining. By September 2024, the Seyond group had delivered more than 391,000 units of automotive-grade LiDARs, primarily of the Falcon series, substantially to Nio with the rest to other original equipment manufacturers and had secured and established a leadership position in the market.

 

Based on the draft financial information contained in the Application Proof, the Seyond group recorded revenue of US$118.5 million and gross losses of US$18.0 million for the first nine months of 2024, compared with US$84.6 million and US$31.3 million for the last corresponding period. This continued to demonstrate a sequential revenue growth and a loss narrowing trend in comparison with the previous figures of US$121.1 million and US$42.4 million in 2023 and US$66.3 million and US$41.3 million in 2022, respectively. The steady improvement reflected gross loss margin narrowing from 62.3% to 15.2% in less than three years due principally to cost reduction arising from product design optimisation and economies of scale enabled by volume production and increased supply procurement. While the Seyond group was expected to achieve positive gross profit in the fourth quarter of 2024, customer concentration on Nio and product concentration on the Falcon series are likely to remain. But focusing on strategic customers and core products is a common strategy, especially in the early development stage, for autonomous driving solution suppliers, aiming to prioritise revenue stability with limited product offerings. Additionally, the Seyond group has developed an established and mutually beneficial relationship with Nio which, apart from being the Seyond group's major customer, is also a major Seyond investor.

 

The De-SPAC Transaction, valued at HK$11.7 billion (US$1.50 billion), represents a significant milestone for Seyond. Pursuant to, among others, a business combination agreement dated 20 December 2024, TechStar will effectively be acquired and delisted, with Seyond emerging as the listed successor. The De-SPAC Transaction, which will include PIPE investments grossing a total of HK$551.3 million (US$70.7 million) from three parties, Huangshan Construction Investment Capital, Wealth Strategy and Zhuhai Hengqin Huagai, may also involve a placing of permitted equity financing with professional investors for an aggregate subscription amount of up to HK$500 million (US$64.1 million). The funds raised will provide the Seyond group with additional capital for its business needs, including research and development, construction and upgrade of production facilities, global expansion and general corporate purposes. The De-SPAC Transaction is subject to, among others, the approvals of the relevant regulatory authorities and the shareholders of TechStar.

 

During 2024, the Seyond group acquired two notable certifications, showcasing its commitment to automotive cybersecurity and functional safety standards.

 

Having fulfilled the audit requirements, the Suzhou production facilities of the Seyond group officially received the ISO/SAE 21434 certification issued by TÜV Rheinland. This accreditation validates compliance with the global standards for automotive cybersecurity, covering the entire process lifecycle from product design and procurement to production and maintenance, and underlines the Seyond group's ability to offer network security aligned with industry best practices for smart connected vehicles.

 

The Suzhou production facilities of the Seyond group were also recognised as the world's first LiDAR manufacturer awarded the ANAB-accredited ISO 21448:2022 SOTIF certification issued by the Chinese branch of Exida. This accreditation addresses safety of the intended functionality with the implementation of safety measures to prevent or mitigate hazardous events stemming from performance limitations, insufficient specifications and human errors for autonomous driving solutions.

 

Various other prestigious certifications earned by the Seyond group over the years in safety, quality and information security include ISO 26262 ASIL D, IATF 16949, ISO 9001, ISO/IEC 27001 and TISAX AL3.

 

According to CIC, the global LiDAR market was estimated to have reached US$4.0 billion in 2024 and projected to further grow to US$65.2 billion by 2030, representing a CAGR of 59.5%. China continues to lead the adoption efforts as Chinese automakers have been aggressively integrating LiDARs into vehicles across the premium and the mass market segments. Industry sources suggest that between 120 and 150 LiDAR-equipped vehicle models could be launched in China in 2025, overwhelmingly outpacing the 15 to 20 models in Europe and 5 to 10 models in the U.S. Based on the draft financial information available from the Application Proof, the Seyond group generated over 95% of revenue in China. Likewise, its major customer, Nio, derives sales primarily in the Chinese market. Notwithstanding the escalations in the tariff war between the U.S. and China, the Seyond group should therefore remain poised to tap into the rapid growth in the demand for LiDAR products.

 

Oasis Education Group Limited ("Oasis Education")

 

Oasis Education is a 50% joint venture of the Group. The operating subsidiary of Oasis Education, Oasis Education Consulting (Shenzhen) Company Limited (奧偉詩教育諮詢(深圳)有限公司, "Oasis Shenzhen"), provides consulting and support services to the Huizhou Kindergarten in the Guangdong Province of China.

 

With a track record of over ten years navigating the evolving regulations and development in the education sector, the Huizhou Kindergarten continued to maintain a stable level of pupil enrolment. Following the graduation of 85 pupils in the summer of 2024, it had enrolled 53 new pupils for the academic term that commenced in September 2024 and another 24 new pupils for the academic term that commenced in February 2025. This had enabled the Huizhou Kindergarten to keep the level of total pupil enrolment of over 200.

 

 

PROSPECTS 

 

The financial markets are not only displeased with the tariff policies of the Trump Administration but are also confused and unsettled by the ephemeral on-and-off approach. The idea of using tariffs as a means to reshore manufacturing activities back to the U.S. is viable if the cost structure makes commercial sense. This would require, among others, an abundant and inexpensive labour force available and prepared to work on traditional old-economy legacy industries and a relatively weak U.S. dollar.

 

The paper "A User's Guide to Restructuring the Global Trading System" by Mr Stephen Miran (the "Paper"), the Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, argues that persistent U.S. dollar overvaluation distorts global trade and may provide insights into future policy direction of the Trump Administration.

 

In brief, the Paper advocates using tariffs to strategically influence global trade dynamics and compel U.S. trading partners to adjust their currency policies. The persistent overvaluation of the US dollar, stemming from the U.S. dollar's de facto global reserve currency status and driven by inelastic demand for U.S. reserve assets, undermines the competitiveness of American exports while benefiting imports. To address the trade imbalances between the U.S. and its trading partners, the Paper outlines various policy tools including tariffs, currency adjustments and national security measures. It further proposes a new international agreement, modelled after the 1985 Plaza Accord, which would coordinate a controlled weakening of the U.S. dollar. The policy tools outlined in the Paper somewhat appear to be consistent with the policies the Trump Administration has been adopting.

 

 

Under the 1985 Plaza Accord as mentioned above, the U.S., the U.K., France, Germany and Japan agreed to address the trade imbalance issue through coordinated efforts by depreciating the U.S. dollar relative to the Japanese yen and German Deutsche Mark. To achieve the U.S. dollar depreciation, the participating nations committed to intervention in the currency market. Germany and Japan also implemented policies to boost domestic demand and the U.S. pledged to reduce its federal deficit. Although the coordinated efforts under the 1985 Plaza Accord did lead to a reduction the U.S.'s trade deficit with Germany, the impact on the trade imbalance between the U.S. and Japan was not significant. Since then, the financial landscape has undergone considerable changes. Back in the 1980s, central banks wielded greater control over currencies and interest rates. Over time, however, financial markets of the 2020s tend to play a much more influential role in shaping the economies. As a result, a similar intervention may face considerable challenges in attempting to achieve the intended outcomes.

 

Furthermore, the Paper did not appear to address a root cause of the U.S. deficits, widely attributed to be a shortfall in domestic production capacity unable to meet local consumption needs. The imbalances, consequently, have to rely on imports. The financial markets are also concerned about the rout and the apparent erosion of the previously almost unchallenged confidence in Treasuries, which could undermine the U.S. dollar's global reserve currency status and limit the U.S. government's access to favourable rates to finance its enormous borrowings.

 

Following the resounding backlash from investors and the alarming feedback from senior business leaders, the Trump Administration has softened its stance, showing increasing willingness to accept concessions and lower tariffs. The situation, nevertheless, remains highly fluid with tariff policies shifting at an unprecedented pace. On the corporate front, the uncertainties emanating from the ephemeral tariff policy shifts under the Trump Administration have created chaos and thrown businesses into disarray. Companies are facing order cancellations, shipment refusals, delivery acceptance rejections, sourcing disruptions and the burden of intensified compliance monitoring. Strategic decisions have also stalled. This could have serious adverse and detrimental effects on trade and economic growth. In fact, the World Trade Organisation has sharply downgraded its global trade growth forecast from a 2.7% expansion to a 0.2% contraction for 2025. Likewise, the International Monetary Fund has revised its 2025 global economic growth forecast from 3.3% to 2.8%. The economic growth outlook for the U.S. and China also been slashed from 2.7% to 1.8% and from 4.8% to 4.0%, respectively. These downward revisions highlight the risk of a recession should the tariff war persist.

 

The private equity sector will not be immune from the uncertainties emanating from the Trump Administration's tariff polices. However, certain industries, such as technology, especially AI, services, healthcare and renewables are expected to continue to attract new commitments. Leading technology companies, particularly those in the U.S. and China, have been reported to have earmarked colossal amounts of capital expenditure for AI-related research and infrastructure, including model training, semiconductor and hardware development, data centres, cloud computing and quantum information processing. A number of the Group's investments are involved in the fields of AI or other technologies. Several of them, notably Dingdong, as well as Seyond and Bytedance, also derive all or the majority of sales from the domestic market in China. They should therefore be better placed to navigate through the economic impact and challenges of the unfolding tariff war. Despite these unsettling uncertainties, the Board will continue to seek new opportunities to expand the investment portfolio of the Group in alignment with the Company's investment policy.

 

Directors

The directors during the year under review and up to the date of this report were and are:

 

Non-Executive Chairman

Alastair GUNN-FORBES *

 

Executive Directors

Henry Ying Chew CHEONG

Ernest Chiu Shun SHE

 

Non-Executive Directors

Mark Chung FONG*

Martyn Stuart WELLS*

Stephen Lister d'Anyers WILLIS*

 

* independent

 

Brief biographical notes of the directors serving at the date of this report are set out on pages 72 to 74.

 

Save as disclosed in this report and in note 26 to the consolidated financial statements on page 69, none of the directors had during the year under review or at the end of the year a material interest, directly or indirectly, in any contract of significance with the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

 

Messrs Alastair Gunn-Forbes, Mark Chung Fong and Martyn Stuart Wells have served on the Board for more than nine years. (In accordance with Provision 10 of the UK Corporate Governance Code on corporate governance published in January 2024 by the Financial Reporting Council of the United Kingdom (the "Code"), Messrs Alastair Gunn-Forbes, Mark Chung Fong and Martyn Stuart Wells retired by rotation and were re-elected to office by separate resolutions passed at the Annual General Meeting held on 10 September 2024). During the past ten-year period, however, none of them has had any major interest in the issued share capital of the Company, has been an employee or involved in the daily management of any of the Group companies, or has had any material relationship with any of the Group companies or any of the major shareholders or managers of any such companies other than being a member of the Board. Accordingly, the Board has determined that their independence and objectivity have not been impaired and that they will therefore be able to continue to act independently in character and judgement.

 

At the Annual General Meeting held on 29 September 2014, shareholders approved the inclusion of the Group's non-executive directors as eligible participants of the Worldsec Employee Share Option Scheme 1997 (the "Option Scheme") which was revised on 24 September 2014. As explained in the 2014 annual report of the Company, the reason for such inclusion was to enable the Group to reward its non-executive directors for their commitments to the Company beyond the nominal annual fees that the Group could afford to pay during its development stage. Accordingly, and in accordance with Provision 10 of the Code, given that such circumstances have basically remained unchanged as the Group has yet to make a profit on a consistent basis under an era marked by a challenging environment, the Board has determined that the participation of Messrs Alastair Gunn-Forbes, Mark Chung Fong, Martyn Stuart Wells and Stephen Lister d'Anyers Willis in the Option Scheme will not affect their ability to act independently in character and judgement.

 

Apart from the Option Scheme, the Group also operates a bonus scheme (the "Bonus Scheme"), which was approved by shareholders at the Special General Meeting held on 30 August 2013. All directors and employees of the Group are eligible to participate in the Bonus Scheme. Up to 20 per cent. of the operating profit, before payment of tax, of the Group in each financial year (the "Bonus Pool") may be employed in paying bonuses to directors and the Group's employees at the discretion of the Remuneration Committee. In making decisions on the award of bonuses, the Remuneration Committee takes into consideration an individual's overall performance and contribution to the business of the Group.  Award of bonuses are entirely discretionary and the Remuneration Committee may elect to award only part of the Bonus Pool if the Remuneration Committee sees fit. No director or employee of the Group is contractually entitled to a share of the Bonus Pool, and the Bonus Pool may be awarded in its entirety to a single director or employee should the Remuneration Committee so resolve.

 

DIRECTORS' INTERESTS

 

The interests of the individuals who were directors during the year under review in the issued share capital of the Company, including the interests of persons connected with a director (within the meaning of Sections 252, 253 to 255 of the United Kingdom Companies Act 2006 as if the Company were incorporated in England), the existence of which was known to, or could with reasonable diligence be ascertained by, that director, whether or not held through another party, were as follows:

 

	At 1 January 2024		At 31 December 2024
	No. of shares		No. of shares
Alastair Gunn-Forbes	45,000		45,000
Henry Ying Chew Cheong (Note)	11,722,620		11,722,620
Mark Chung Fong	Nil		Nil
Ernest Chiu Shun She	550,095		550,095
Martyn Stuart Wells	Nil		Nil
Stephen Lister d'Anyers Willis	16,000		16,000

 

Note:

Mr Henry Ying Chew Cheong ("Mr Cheong") wholly owns HC Investment Holdings Limited ("HCIH"). HCIH beneficially owned 20,000,000 ordinary shares of US$0.001 each in the Company at 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024, respectively.

In total, Mr Cheong and his associates were the legal and beneficial owners of 31,722,620 ordinary shares of US$0.001 each in the Company, representing 37.3% of the Company's issued share capital, at 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024, respectively. The Company and Mr Cheong entered into a relationship agreement on 2 August 2013 (the "Relationship Agreement"). Pursuant to the Relationship Agreement, Mr Cheong has agreed to exercise his rights as a shareholder at all times, and to procure that his associates exercise their rights, so as to ensure that the Company is capable of carrying on its business independently of Mr Cheong or any control which Mr Cheong or his associates may otherwise be able to exercise over the Company. Moreover, Mr Cheong has undertaken to ensure, so far as he is able to, that all transactions, relationships and agreements between Mr Cheong or his associates and the Company or any of its subsidiaries are on arms' length terms on a normal commercial basis. Mr Cheong and the Company have also agreed, among other things, that he will not participate in the deliberations of the Board in relation to any proposal to enter into any commercial arrangements with Mr Cheong or his associates.

 

 

	At 1 January 2024	At 31 December 2024
	No. of share options	No. of share options
Alastair Gunn-Forbes (Notes i and ii)	850,000	850,000
Henry Ying Chew Cheong (Notes i and ii)	850,000	850,000
Mark Chung Fong (Notes i and ii)	850,000	850,000
Ernest Chiu Shun She (Notes i and ii)	850,000	850,000
Martyn Stuart Wells (Notes i and ii)	850,000	850,000
Stephen Lister d'Anyers Willis (Note iii)	350,000	350,000

 

Note: (i)

500,000 of the share options granted to Messrs Alastair Gunn-Forbes, Henry Ying Chew Cheong, Mark Chung Fong, Ernest Chiu Shun She and Martyn Stuart Wells on 1 December 2015 entitle the holders to subscribe on a one for one basis new ordinary shares of US$0.001 each in the Company at an exercise price of US$0.122 per share. These share options vested six months from the date of grant and were then exercisable within a period of 9.5 years.

(ii)

350,000 of the share options granted to Messrs Alastair Gunn-Forbes, Henry Ying Chew Cheong, Mark Chung Fong, Ernest Chiu Shun She and Martyn Stuart Wells on 29 May 2019 entitle the holders to subscribe on a one for one basis new ordinary shares of US$0.001 each in the Company at an exercise price of US$0.034 per share. These share options vested six months from the date of grant and were then exercisable within a period of 9.5 years.

 

 

(iii)

350,000 of the share options granted to Mr Stephen Lister d'Anyers Willis on 20 February 2023 entitle the holders to subscribe on a one for one basis new ordinary shares of US$0.001 each in the Company at an exercise price of US$0.034 per share. These share options vested six months from the date of grant and were then exercisable within a period of 9.5 years.

 

Save as disclosed above, none of the above-named directors had an interest, whether beneficial or non-beneficial, in any shares or debentures of any Group companies at the beginning or at the end of the year under review. Save as disclosed above, none of the above-named directors, or members of their immediate families, held, exercised or were awarded any right to subscribe for any shares or debentures of any Group companies during the year.

 

The Board confirms that (i) the Company has complied with the independence provisions set out in the Relationship Agreement since it was entered into; and (ii) so far as the Company is aware, Mr Henry Ying Chew Cheong and his associates have complied with the independence provisions set out in the Relationship Agreement since it was entered into.

 

DIRECTORS' REMUNERATION

 

The remuneration of the directors for the year ended 31 December 2024 was as follows:

 

	Fees		Share-based payment expenses		Other emoluments		Total
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
Alastair Gunn-Forbes	12.5		-		-		12.5
Henry Ying Chew Cheong	12.5		-		-		12.5
Mark Chung Fong	12.5		-		-		12.5
Ernest Chiu Shun She	12.5		-		-		12.5
Martyn Stuart Wells	12.5		-		-		12.5
Stephen Lister d'Anyers Willis	12.5		-		-		12.5
	75.0		-		-		75.0

 

 

PROVIDENT FUND AND PENSION CONTRIBUTIONS FOR DIRECTORS

 

During the year under review, there was no provident fund and pension contributions for the directors.

 

LETTERS OF APPOINTMENT/SERVICE CONTRACTS

 

Messrs Alastair Gunn-Forbes, Mark Chung Fong and Martyn Stuart Wells, each has entered into a letter of appointment with the Company dated 28 November 2017, and Mr Stephen Lister d'Anyers Willis has entered into a letter of appointment with the Company dated 3 June 2019, to serve as non-executive director. Each of them is entitled to a fee of £10,000 per annum. The appointment may be terminated on one-month notice in writing.

 

Messrs Henry Ying Chew Cheong and Ernest Chiu Shun She, each has entered into a letter of appointment with the Company dated 2 August 2013 to serve as executive director. Each of them is entitled to a fee of £10,000 per annum. The appointment may be terminated on not less than six-month notice in writing.

 

 

All directors are eligible to participate in the Option Scheme under which share options may be granted at the discretion of the Remuneration Committee. No share options were granted for the year ended 31 December 2024.

 

All directors are eligible to participate in the Bonus Scheme under which bonuses may be granted at the discretion of the Remuneration Committee. No bonuses were recommended for the year ended 31 December 2024.

 

Save as disclosed above, there are no existing or proposed letters of appointment or service contracts between any of the directors and the Company or any of its subsidiaries which cannot be determined without payment of compensation (other than any statutory compensation) within one year.

 

MAJOR INTERESTS IN SHARES

 

At 31 March 2025, the Company was aware of the following direct or indirect interests representing 5% or more of the Company's issued share capital:

 

	No. of shares		Percentage of issued share capital
HC Investment Holdings Limited (Note i)	20,000,000		23.5%
Yue Wai Keung	4,837,500		5.7%
Luis Chi Leung Tong	5,000,000		5.9%
Henry Ying Chew Cheong	11,722,620		13.8%
Aurora Nominees Limited (Note ii)	18,770,000		22.1%
Vidacos Nominees Limited (Note ii)	5,504,534		6.5%

 

Notes: (i)	Mr Cheong is the legal and beneficial owner of the entire issued share capital of HCIH.
(ii)	Aurora Nominees Limited and Vidacos Nominees Limited act as custodians for their customers, to whom they effectively pass all rights and entitlements, including voting rights.

 

INTERNAL CONTROL, RISK MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL REPORTING

 

The Board is responsible for establishing and maintaining appropriate systems of internal control and risk management to safeguard the Group's interests and assets. The control measures that have been put in place cover key areas of operations, finance and compliance and aim to manage rather than eliminate risks that are inherent in the running of the business of the Group. Accordingly, the Group's

systems of internal control and risk management are expected to provide reasonable but not absolute assurance against material misstatements, loss or fraud.

 

Among the control measures, the key steps that have been put in place include:

-    the setting of the investment strategy and the approval of significant investment decisions of the Group by the Board to ensure consistency with the investment objective and compliance with the investment policy of the Company;

-    the segregation of duties between the investment management and accounting functions of the Group;

-    the adoption of written procedures in relation to the operations of the bank accounts of the Group;

-    the adoption of written procedures to deal with conflicts of interests and related party transactions;

-    the maintenance of proper accounting records providing with reasonable accuracy at any time information on the financial position of the Group;

 

-    the review by the Board of the management accounts of the Group on a regular basis; and

-    the engagement of external professionals to carry out company secretarial works for the Company and to assist the Group on compliance issues.

 

The Board considers the identification, evaluation and management of the principal risks faced by the Group under the changing environment to be an ongoing process and has kept under regular review the effectiveness of the Group's systems of internal control and risk management. The Board is satisfied that the arrangements that have been put in place represent an appropriate framework to meet the internal control and risk management requirements of the Group.

 

The Board ensures oversight of climate-related risks and opportunities, and through its board meetings, aligns the Company's investment strategy with emerging environmental challenges, integrating climate considerations into investment decisions while holding senior management accountable for assessing and addressing risks across assets. Strategically, the Company evaluates climate impacts across short, medium and long-term horizons. Short-term risks include heightened regulatory pressures on high-carbon investments, while medium-term challenges involve transition risks such as evolving investor preferences toward sustainable assets.  Over the long term, the focus shifts to capitalising on opportunities in renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure and low-carbon technologies to enhance returns and align with global net-zero objectives. Climate risks are managed through scenario analysis, assessing impacts of 1.5¡ãC and 2¡ãC warming scenarios and prioritising mitigation strategies.

 

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

 

The Group adopts a risk management strategy that encompasses the proactive detection and assessment of emerging risks. Its internal control and risk management framework is designed to be dynamic and responsive with a view to enabling prompt adaption to new challenges and opportunities.

 

The process adopted by the Group for identifying emerging risks involves the monitoring and review of the Group's control measures and operating procedures and activities, the scanning of the development and evolving trends across various sectors including the economic, political and investment domains and the leveraging of industry information and insights relevant to the Group's operations. Potential threats identified are assessed, analysed and evaluated and, where appropriate, mitigation measures, such as those described in the paragraphs below on pages 18 to 19, would be implemented.

 

The Board receives updates on emerging risks and conducts regular review to ensure that the risk management and mitigation efforts are effective and aligned with its oversight. The Audit Committee also plays a crucial role, providing additional scrutiny and guidance on risk-related matters.

 

In the risk assessment undertaken, the Board has identified the principal risks and uncertainties that are relevant to the Group which include:

 

Target market risk

 

Under the investment policy of the Company, the Group focuses on investing in small to medium sized trading companies based mainly in the Greater China and South East Asian region. Consequently, a severe economic downturn, heightened political uncertainties, escalating geopolitical rivalries or disruptive international policy shifts negatively affecting these target markets could seriously undermine the Group's investments leading to substantial losses for the Group. This is certainly a risk factor beyond the Group's control. Nevertheless, in line with the investment policy of the Company, the Board would remain committed to investing in and maintaining a diversified portfolio in order to spread the investment risk of the Group.

 

Investment opportunity risk

 

Notwithstanding the challenges in fundraising in recent years, the private equity sector continued to hold abundant dry powder accumulated during the ultra-low interest rate era. And with the onset of the easing cycle in monetary policies among major economies, albeit complicated by capricious policy uncertainties with sweeping global effects, the cost of capital has started to moderately decline. Under such an environment, competition for quality deals is expected to remain vigorous and intense. This would limit the availability of attractive investment opportunities for the Group. However, the Company has maintained a broadened investment policy. This would offer greater flexibility for the Group to make investment choices from a broader range of opportunities to achieve the Company's investment objective. 

 

Key person risk

 

As the Group does not engage any external investment manager, the Board is responsible for overseeing the Group's investment management activities with frontline management duties delegated to the executive directors. The Group is therefore heavily dependent on the executive directors' abilities to identify and evaluate investment targets, execute and implement investment decisions, monitor investment performance and execute and implement exit decisions. Both of the executive directors, Messrs Henry Ying Chew Cheong and Ernest Chiu Shun She, have entered into a letter of appointment with the Company with a termination clause of not less than six-month written notice. Moreover, Mr Cheong is also the deputy chairman and a major shareholder beneficially holding a substantial interest in the Company's issued share capital.

 

Operational risks

 

The Group is exposed to various operational risks that are inherent in the running of its business, including, among others, the failure to comply with the investment policy of the Company, the failure to prevent misstatements, loss or fraud due to inadequacies in the Group's internal operational processes, and the failure to comply with applicable rules and regulations by the Group. As mitigating measures, the Board has established and maintained systems of internal control and risk management to safeguard the Group's interests and assets, details of which are set out in the section headed "Internal Control, Risk Management and Financial Reporting" on page 17.

 

Financial risks

 

The Group is exposed to a variety of financial risks, including market risks, credit risk and liquidity risk, which arise from its operating and investment management activities. The Group's management of such risks is coordinated at the office of Worldsec Investment (Hong Kong) Limited, the principal operating subsidiary of the Group, in close cooperation with the Board. Details of the Group's approach on financial risk management are described in note 5(b) to the consolidated financial statements on pages 52 to 56.

 

COVID-19 pandemic risk

 

After battling with the COVID-19 pandemic for a number of years, the world has basically returned to normality, or rather, settled down in a new normal under the legacies of the health crisis that include a profound change in the daily lives of a vast proportion of the population across the globe. Furthermore, in the post-pandemic era, with an expanding armamentarium of vaccines and therapeutics in the fight against the disease, the threat of the coronavirus to economic and business activities is generally considered to be manageable. Against this backdrop, the Group would strive to maintain a diversified portfolio geographically and across industries in order to minimise any adverse impact that may be caused by the resurgence of new waves of infections or the emergence of new variants from time to time.

 

 

VIABILITY STATEMENT

 

The directors have assessed the viability of the Company for the three years to 31 December 2027.

 

The directors consider that, for the purposes of this viability statement, a three-year period is appropriate taking into account the Group's investment horizon under its investment strategy. Besides, there should unlikely be any significant change to most of the principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group over the timeframe selected for the assessment.

 

In assessing the viability of the Company and its ability to meet liabilities as they fall due, the directors have taken into consideration, among others:

 

-    the investment strategy of the Group;

-    the current position including the existing financial status and cost structure of the Group;

-    the prospects of and the industry outlook for the Group;

-    the economic, political and geopolitical factors that could adversely affect the Greater China and South East Asian region, the primary target markets in which the Group focuses its investments; and

-    the potential adverse impact of the principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group and the effectiveness of the mitigating measures that have been put in place, details of which are described in the section headed "Principal Risks and Uncertainties" on pages 18 to 19.

 

The directors note, in particular, that the Group:

 

-    has a liquid amount of unrestricted cash and bank balances;

-    does not have any borrowings;

-    does not have any commitments other than certain leases with modest lease liabilities; and

-    has low operating expenses with a small but stable team under stringent cost control. 

 

Accordingly, the directors are confident that the Company will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the assessment period.

 

GOING CONCERN

 

After making careful enquiries, the directors have formed a judgement, at the time of approving the consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries for the year ended 31 December 2024, that there was a reasonable expectation that the Group would have adequate resources to carry out its operations for a period of at least twelve months from the date of approving the consolidated financial statements. For this reason, the directors have adopted the going concern basis in preparing the consolidated financial statements.

 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

As a company listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange, its business is subject to the principles contained in the Code, a copy of which is available on the website of the Financial Reporting Council of the United Kingdom. The Board confirms that, throughout the accounting period from 1 January to 31 December 2024, the Group complied with the relevant provisions of the Code, apart from certain exceptions set out and explained below.

 

The Board, comprising a non-executive chairman, three non-executive directors and two executive directors, is committed to maintaining a high standard of corporate governance. All non-executive directors are considered by the Board to be independent of management and free from any business or other relationship which could materially interfere with the exercise of their independent judgement. All directors are able to take independent professional advice in furtherance of their duties, if necessary.

 

The Board is responsible for establishing strategic directions and setting objectives for the Company and making significant investment decisions and monitoring the performance of the Group. The management is responsible for the day to day running of the Group's operations.

 

The Board recognises the importance of a healthy corporate culture and its impact on the performance and reputation of the Group. As a small organisation with a stable workforce, the Group has identified and implemented a number of measures, including the monitoring and review of cultural metrics and workplace behaviours as well as the gathering and collection of employee engagement feedback. The Board from time to time discusses the outcomes of these measures to ensure that the Group's corporate culture is aligned with its core values and objectives.

 

The Board also recognises the importance of the contribution of the workforce of the Group. In this connection, an incentive program, including the Bonus Scheme, details of which are set out on page 14, and the Option Scheme, details of which are set out in note 25 to the consolidated financial statements on pages 68 to 69, has been put in place. In addition, the Group's approach to incentivising its workforce extends beyond financial rewards. Embracing the evolving trends of the workplace, the Group offers flexible working arrangements. This initiative supports work-life balance and has improved employee satisfaction. Remote work, flexible working hours and compressed workweeks allow staff members to tailor work schedules to fit their personal needs.

 

At the end of the period under review, the Company had not met the gender diversity targets of having (i) at least 40% of the individuals on the Board to be women; and (ii) at least one of the senior positions, including the chair, the chief executive, the senior independent director, or the chief financial officer, on the Board to be held by a woman. On the other hand, three members of the Board were Asian/Asian British.

 

Given the Group's small-scale operations which have yet to achieve a track record of consistent profitability, the Group has encountered difficulties in meeting the gender diversity targets as woman candidates with appropriate experience and qualifications to fill board positions are highly sought-after.

 

Since the end of the period under review, there have been no changes to the Board that have affected the Company's ability to meet the gender diversity targets.

 

Table for reporting on gender identity or sex

 

	Number of Board members	Percentage of the Board	Number of senior positions on the Board (CEO, CFO, SID and Chair)	Number in executive management	Percentage of executive management
Men	6	100	100	2	100
Women	0	0	0	0	0
Not specified / prefer not to say	0	0	0	0	0

 

 

 Table for reporting on ethnic background

 

	Number of Board members	Percentage of the Board	Number of senior positions on the Board (CEO, CFO, SID and Chair)	Number in executive management	Percentage of executive management
White British or other White (including minority-white groups)	3	50	1	0	0
Mixed/Multiple Ethnic Groups	0	0	0	0	0
Asian/Asian British	3	50	0	2	100
Black/African/Caribbean/ Black British	0	0	0	0	0
Other ethnic group, including Arab	0	0	0	0	0
Not specified/ prefer not to say	0	0	0	0	0

 

Board and executive management diversity data was collected directly from the directors and the executive management through voluntary self-disclosures of their gender and ethnicity and was only used for the purposes of preparing the information required to be disclosed under UKLR6.6.6R (9) and (10) of the UKLR.

 

BOARD MEETING

 

The Board held four meetings during the year under review and the table below gives the attendance record.

 

Director	Board Meeting
Alastair Gunn-Forbes	3/4
Henry Ying Chew Cheong	4/4
Ernest Chiu Shun She	4/4
Mark Chung Fong	4/4
Martyn Stuart Wells	4/4
Stephen Lister d'Anyers Willis	4/4

 

Although the Board notes the requirement for a Nomination Committee (Provision 17 of the Code) to make recommendations to the Board on all new board appointments and to reassure shareholders of the suitability of a chosen director, the Board considers that, due to its small size and limited level of activities, it is not necessary to establish such a committee. The Board as a whole remains responsible for ensuring that a transparent, formal and rigorous process would be followed for any future board appointments, which would be made following a full review of the Board's balance of skills, experience, independence and knowledge. The Board is satisfied that appropriate succession planning is in place for appointments to both the Board and senior management.

 

 

Again, due to its small size and limited level of activities, the Board has not appointed a senior independent director and did not consider an annual self-evaluation to be required during the year under review. The responsibilities normally rested with a senior independent director have been reverted to the Board as a whole. These decisions will be re-considered annually by the Board.

 

The Board established both an Audit Committee and a Remuneration Committee upon the re-activation of the Group's business in 2013. Details of these committees are set out below.

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE

 

The Audit Committee held two meetings during the year under review and the table below gives the attendance record.

 

Director	Audit Committee Meeting
Mark Chung Fong	2/2
Martyn Stuart Wells	2/2
Stephen Lister d'Anyers Willis	2/2

 

The Audit Committee is chaired by Mr Mark Chung Fong and its other current members are Messrs Martyn Stuart Wells and Stephen Lister d'Anyers Willis. The Audit Committee is appointed by the Board and the committee's membership is comprised wholly of non-executive directors.

 

The terms of reference of the Audit Committee (copies of which are available at the Company's registered office and the Company's website) generally follow, where applicable, those stated in the provisions of the Code.

 

The Audit Committee meets a minimum of two times a year and may be convened at other times if required. The responsibilities of the Audit Committee include, among others, the examination and review of the Group's risk management, internal financial controls and financial and accounting policies and practices, as well as overseeing and reviewing the work of the Company's external auditor, their independence and the fees paid to them.

 

The Audit Committee has a formal process in place to assess the independence and effectiveness of the external audit. This process includes an evaluation of the Company's external auditor's compliance with relevant ethical and independence guidelines, the robustness of their audit plan and the thoroughness of their audit report. In assessing independence, the Audit Committee also considers the tenure of the Company's external auditor and their lead audit partner. In addition, feedback from the management involved in the audit is solicited to gauge the effectiveness and impartiality of the external audit process.

 

During the year under review, the activities undertaken by the Audit Committee in discharge of its duties and functions included (i) the review and recommendation to the Board of the reappointment of  BDO Limited as the Company's external auditor; (ii) the review and recommendation to the Board for approval of the annual report of the Company and the consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries for the year ended 31 December 2023; and (iii) the review and recommendation to the Board for approval of the interim report of the Company and the unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries for the six months ended 30 June 2024. In recommending the reappointment of BDO Limited, the Audit Committee has taken into consideration, among others, BDO Limited's independence, objectivity and terms of engagement.

 

Subsequent to the year end, the activities that have been undertaken by the Audit Committee in relation to 2024 included (i) the review and recommendation to the Board of the annual report of the Company and the consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries for the year ended 31 December 2024; (ii) the monitoring of the effectiveness of the Group's risk management and internal financial controls; and (iii) the assessment of the effectiveness of the external audit process through feedback from the management involved in the audit and through interactions with and observations and review of the level of audit services provided. 

 

As the scale of the operations of the Group remains relatively insubstantial, the Board has decided and the Audit Committee concurs that it would not be necessary or cost-effective to set up an internal audit function. In the absence of an internal audit function, internal assurance is achieved through the implementation of systems of internal controls and risk management, details of which are set out in the section headed "Internal Control, Risk Management and Financial Reporting" on page 17. These control measures are designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements. The Audit Committee also reviews both internal assurance and external audit findings to ensure a cohesive approach to financial integrity and risk management.

 

In connection with the review of the consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries for the year ended 31 December 2024, the Audit Committee has identified and reviewed two issues which it considered significant and details on these matters are set out in the table below.

 

Significant Reporting Issue	Review and Assessment
Impairment review of the Group's interests in respect of its 50% owned joint venture, Oasis Education - At 31 December 2024, the Group had an equity interest of US$43,000 in and an amount of US$257,000 due from Oasis Education. These carrying amounts were significant in the Group's context and their valuations were subject to judgements, estimation uncertainties and assumptions.	The Audit Committee has (i) reviewed the operational and financial performance and the latest development of Oasis Education and its subsidiary; and (ii) assessed the assumptions underlying the cash flow projection for Oasis Education and its subsidiary as well as the reliability of such projection by comparing relevant historic budgets with actual results.
Valuation of investments classified as financial assets at fair value through profit or loss ("FVTPL") categorised within level 3 of the fair value hierarchy - At 31 December 2024, the Group had interests in the ICBC Shipping Fund, Animoca, ByteDance and Seyond, all of which were accounted for as financial assets at FVTPL categorised within the level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, totalling US$4,023,000 and carried at fair value. These carrying amounts were significant in the Group's context and their valuations were subject to judgements, estimation uncertainties and assumptions.	The Audit Committee has reviewed the operational and financial performance and the latest development of the financial assets at FVTPL categorised within level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

BDO Limited was appointed as the external auditor of the Company in February 2015, since when audit services have not been tendered competitively. The Audit Committee has concluded that a competitive tender of audit services is not necessary at this time, but acknowledges that circumstances could arise where a competitive tender for audit services may be desirable. The performance of BDO Limited as the Company's external auditor will be kept under annual review, and if satisfactory, BDO Limited will be recommended by the Audit Committee for reappointment. There are, however, no contractual obligations that would restrict the Audit Committee's choice of external auditor for the Company.

 

As advised by the Audit Committee and concurred with by the Board, the annual report of the Company and the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Group's position and performance, business model and strategy.

 

REMUNERATION COMMITTEE

 

In accordance with Provision 32 of the Code, the Company has set up a Remuneration Committee. The Remuneration Committee held one meeting during the year under review and the table below gives the attendance record.

 

Director	Remuneration Committee Meeting
Martyn Stuart Wells	1/1
Alastair Gunn-Forbes	0/1
Mark Chung Fong	1/1
Stephen Lister d'Anyers Willis	1/1

 

The Remuneration Committee is chaired by Mr Martyn Stuart Wells and its other current members are Messrs Alastair Gunn-Forbes, Mark Chung Fong and Stephen Lister d'Anyers Willis. The Remuneration Committee is appointed by the Board and the committee's membership is comprised wholly of non-executive directors.

 

The terms of reference of the Remuneration Committee (copies of which are available at the Company's registered office and the Company's website) generally follow, where applicable, those stated in the provisions of the Code. They provide for the Remuneration Committee to meet at least two times a year. However, as the Group has a very small and stable workforce, the Remuneration Committee did not consider it meaningful or necessary to hold more than one meeting during the year under review.

 

The Remuneration Committee's responsibilities include, among others, the evaluation of the performance of the executive directors and senior staff, and the comparison of the Group's remuneration policy with similar organisations in the market to form the basis for the recommendations to the Board to determine the remuneration packages, which may include the grant of share options under the Option Scheme and the grant of bonuses under the Bonus Scheme, for individual staff and director members.

 

In accordance with the Main Principle of Provision Q of the Code, no director has been involved in deciding his own remuneration.

 

 

 During the year under review, the activities undertaken by the Remuneration Committee in discharge of its duties and functions included (i) the review of and recommendation to the Board to retain the Group's existing remuneration arrangements; and (ii) the recommendation to the Board not to award any bonus or grant any share options following a review of the financial performance and position of the Group. In reviewing the Group's existing remuneration arrangements, the Remuneration Committee noted the policy and structure of the remuneration for the executive directors encompassing a low level of director's fee enhanced by the entitlements to participate in the Bonus Scheme and the Option Scheme which, in the opinion of the Remuneration Committee, was appropriate given that the Group had yet to achieve consistent profitability.

 

WORLDSEC EMPLOYEE SHARE OPTION SCHEME 1997

The following table discloses the movements of the outstanding share options under the Option Scheme during the year under review.

 

		Number of options
Grantee	Exercisable period	Balance at 1 January 2024	Granted during the year	Exercised during the year	Forfeited during the year	Lapsed during the year	Balance at 31 December 2024	Exercise price per share (US$)
Directors	20 August 2023 to 19 February 2033                              29 November 2019 to 28 May 2029	350,000         1,750,000	-         -	-         -	-         -	-         -	350,000         1,750,000	0.034         0.034
	1 June 2016 to 30 November 2025	2,500,000	-	-	-	-	2,500,000	0.122
Employees	29 November 2019 to 28 May 2029	300,000	-	-	-	-	300,000	0.034
	1 June 2016 to 30 November 2025	450,000	-	-	-	-	450,000	0.122
		5,350,000	-	-	-	-	5,350,000

 

 

 

Further details relating to the granting of the share options are set out in note 25 to the consolidated financial statements on pages 68 to 69.

 

RELATION WITH SHAREHOLDERS

 

Communication with shareholders is given high priority. Information about the Group's activities is provided in the annual report and the interim report of the Company which are sent to shareholders each year and are available on the website of the Company. All shareholders are encouraged to attend the Annual General Meeting at which directors are available for questions. Enquiries are dealt with in an informative and timely manner. Directors, including non-executive directors, are also available to meet with major shareholders on request.

 

EXTERNAL AUDITOR

The consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries for the year ended 31 December 2024 have been audited by BDO Limited.

 

A resolution will be submitted to the next Annual General Meeting to reappoint BDO Limited as the Company's external auditor.

 

 

On behalf of the Board

 

 

 

 

 

Henry Ying Chew Cheong

Executive Director

29 April 2025

                                                                                                                        

 

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES                                                     

The directors are required under the Bermuda Companies Act 1981 to prepare consolidated financial statements for each financial year. The directors acknowledge responsibility for the preparation of the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024, which give a true and fair view of the financial position of the Group as at the end of that financial year and of the financial performance of the Group for that year and which provide the necessary information for shareholders to assess the business activities and performance of the Group during that year. In preparing these consolidated financial statements, the directors are required to:

 

-          select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

 

-          make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

 

-       state whether the consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union; and

 

-         prepare the consolidated financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Group will continue in business.

 

The directors confirm that the above requirements have been met.

 

The directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Group. They are also responsible for the Group's system of internal financial controls, for safeguarding the assets of the Group and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of frauds and other irregularities.

 

The directors further confirm that, to the best of their knowledge and understanding, the chairman's statements on pages 1 to 2 and the directors' report on pages 3 to 27 include a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face.

 

 

 

 

On behalf of the Board

 

 

 

 

 

Henry Ying Chew Cheong

Executive Director

29 April 2025

 

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT __________________________________________________

 

TO THE MEMBERS OF WORLDSEC LIMITED

(incorporated in Bermuda with limited liability)

 

REPORT ON THE AUDIT OF THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

OPINION

 

We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Worldsec Limited (the "Company") and its subsidiaries (together the "Group") set out on pages 34 to 70, which comprise the consolidated statement of financial position as at 31 December 2024, and the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, the consolidated statement of changes in equity and the consolidated statement of cash flows for the year then ended, and notes to the consolidated financial statements, including material accounting policy information.

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Group as at 31 December 2024, and its consolidated financial performance and its consolidated cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IFRS Accounting Standards") and adopted by the European Union.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing ("ISAs"). Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the "Auditor's Responsibilities for the Audit of the Consolidated Financial Statements" section of our report. We are independent of the Group in accordance with the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants' Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (the "IESBA Code"), and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with the IESBA Code. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

 

Key Audit Matters

 

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the consolidated financial statements of the current period. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the consolidated financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.

 

impairment ASSESSMENT of interest in a joint venture and amount due from a joint venture

 

Refer to note 17 to the consolidated financial statements

 

The Group owns a 50% interest in a joint venture, Oasis Education Group Limited ("Oasis Education"), which is accounted for using the equity method less any impairment loss. The interest in this joint venture amounted to approximately US$43,000 as at 31 December 2024 and the Group's share of its losses amounted to approximately US$9,000 for the year then ended.

 

In addition, the Group has advanced an amount of approximately US$257,000 to Oasis Education as at 31 December 2024, which is subject to an impairment assessment by management.

 

The impairment assessment of investment in, and amount due from, Oasis Education is considered by us as a key audit matter due to significant judgement made by management over the assumptions on the future cash flows to be generated from the operation of Oasis Education.

 

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)                                                    

 

TO THE MEMBERS OF WORLDSEC LIMITED

(incorporated in Bermuda with limited liability)

 

Key Audit Matters (Continued)

 

impairment ASSESSMENT of interest in a joint venture and amount due from a joint venture (CONTINUED)

 

Our response:

 

Our audit procedures in relation to this matter included:

 

Obtaining an update of the latest development of Oasis Education's operation;

 

Assessing the financial performance of Oasis Education based on information provided by management;

 

Evaluating management's considerations of the impairment indicators of the investment in, and the amount due from, Oasis Education;

 

Assessing the appropriateness of the management's assumptions concerning the future cash flows to be generated from the operation of Oasis Education; and

 

Assessing reliability of the joint venture's forecast by comparing historical budget to actual performance and obtaining explanations from management on any significant variances identified.

 

 

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT OF INVESTMENTS classified as financial assets at fair value through profit or loss ("FVTPL") CATEGORISED WITHIN LEVEL 3 OF THE FAIR VALUE HIERARCHY

 

Refer to notes 5(c)(iii) and 18 to the consolidated financial statements

 

As at 31 December 2024, the Group held a number of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss, with measurement categorised within the level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, totalling approximately US$4,023,000.

 

The fair value determination of these financial assets at the end of the reporting period involves the determination of appropriate valuation models as well as the selection of inputs and assumptions made by management. Different valuation models, as well as inputs and assumptions applied may lead to a significant change in the fair value of these financial assets.

 

We identified fair value determination of these financial assets as a key audit matter because it involves a high degree of estimation uncertainty and judgement; and their aggregate carrying value is material to the Group's consolidated financial statements taken as a whole.

  

 

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)                                                    

 

TO THE MEMBERS OF WORLDSEC LIMITED

(incorporated in Bermuda with limited liability)

 

Key Audit Matters (Continued)

 

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT OF INVESTMENTS classified as financial assets at fair value through profit or loss CATEGORISED WITHIN LEVEL 3 OF THE FAIR VALUE HIERARCHY (CONTINUED)

 

Our response:

 

Our audit procedures in relation to this matter included:

 

Assessing the appropriateness of valuation methodologies applied on the fair value determination of these financial assets;

 

Evaluating the reasonableness and relevance of key inputs and assumptions used in the fair value determination; and

 

Involving an auditor's expert to assist our assessment on the appropriateness of the valuation methodologies and reasonableness of key inputs and assumptions used in the fair value determination.

 

Other information in the annual report

 

The directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Company's annual report, but does not include the consolidated financial statements and our auditor's report therein.

 

Our opinion on the consolidated financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

 

In connection with our audit of the consolidated financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the consolidated financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.

 

Directors' responsibilitIES for the consolidated financial statements

 

The directors are responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards as adopted by the European Union, and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

 

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the Group's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the Group or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

 

The directors are also responsible for overseeing the Group's financial reporting process. The audit committee of the Company (the "Audit Committee") assists the directors in discharging their responsibility in this regard.

 

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)  ____________________________________

 TO THE MEMBERS OF WORLDSEC LIMITED

(incorporated in Bermuda with limited liability)

 

Auditor's responsibilitIES for the audit of the consolidated financial statements

 

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated 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. This report is made solely to you, as a body, in accordance with Section 90 of the Bermuda Companies Act 1981, and for no other purpose. We do not assume responsibility towards or accept liability to any other person for the contents of this report.

 

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 consolidated financial statements.

 

As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs, we exercise professional judgement and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:

 

identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated 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.

 

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 Group's internal control.

 

evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by the directors.

 

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 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 consolidated 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, future events or conditions may cause the Group to cease to continue as a going concern.

 

evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the consolidated financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the consolidated financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.

 

plan and perform the group audit to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial information of the entities or business units within the group as a basis for forming an opinion on the group financial statements. We are responsible for the direction, supervision and review of the work performed for the purposes of the group audit. We remain solely responsible for our audit opinion.

 

 

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)  ____________________________________

 

TO THE MEMBERS OF WORLDSEC LIMITED

(incorporated in Bermuda with limited liability)

 

Auditor's responsibilitIES for the audit of the consolidated financial statements (CONTINUED)

 

We communicate with the Audit Committee 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 the Audit Committee with a statement that we have complied with 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, actions taken to eliminate threats or safeguards applied.

 

From the matters communicated with the directors, we determine those matters that were of most significance in the audit of the consolidated 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 benefits of such communication.

 

REPORT ON OTHER REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS

 

Under the UK Listing Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom (the "Listing Rules"), we are required to review the part of the Corporate Governance Statement relating to the Company's compliance with the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code specified for our review in accordance with UKLR6.6.20R(2). We have nothing to report arising from our review.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BDO Limited

Certified Public Accountants

CHAU, Ho Kit

Practising Certificate Number P08363

Hong Kong, 29 April 2025

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER

 

			Year ended 31 December
	Notes		2024		2023
			US$'000		US$'000
Revenue	7		118		112
Other income, gains and losses, net	9		430		521
Staff costs	10		(279)		(286)
Other expenses			(310)		(283)
Finance costs	11		(5)		(3)
Share of losses of a joint venture	17		(9)		(3)
(Loss)/profit before income tax expense	12		(55)		58
Income tax expense	13		-		-
(Loss)/profit for the year			(55)		58
Other comprehensive income, net of income tax
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
Share of other comprehensive income of a joint venture	17		(9)		(7)
Other comprehensive income for the year, net of income tax			(9)		(7)
Total comprehensive income for the year			(64)		51
(Loss)/profit for the year attributable to:
Owners of the Company			(55)		58
Total comprehensive income for the year attributable to:
Owners of the Company			(64)		51
(Loss)/earnings per share - basic and diluted	14		US (0.06) cent		US 0.07 cent

 

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

 

		Notes	2024		2023
			US$'000		US$'000
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment		16	-		-
Interest in a joint venture		17	43		61
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss		18	4,095		3,764
Right-of-use assets		19	48		113
			4,186		3,938
Current assets
Other receivables			116		247
Deposits and prepayments			31		26
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss		18	355		190
Amount due from a joint venture		17	257		257
Cash and cash equivalents		21	701		1,122
			1,460		1,842
Current liabilities
Other payables and accruals		22	157		157
Lease liabilities		19	55		70
			212		227
Net current assets			1,248		1,615
Non-current liability
Lease liabilities		19	-		55
Net assets			5,434		5,498

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION (CONTINUED)

 

		Notes	2024		2023
			US$'000		US$'000
Capital and reserves
Share capital		23	85		85
Reserves		24	5,349		5,413
Total equity			5,434		5,498

 

The consolidated financial statements on pages 34 to 70 were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 29 April 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

 

Alastair Gunn-Forbes Director		Henry Ying Chew Cheong Director

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF changes in equity

 

	Equity attributable to owners of the Company
									Foreign
					Contri-		Share		currency
	Share		Share		buted		option		translation		Special		Accumulated
	capital		premium		surplus		reserve		reserve		reserve		losses		Total
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
	(note 23)		(note 24)		(note 24)		(note 24)		(note 24)		(note 24)		(note 24)
Balance at 1 January 2023	85		7,524		9,646		249		(33)		625		(12,654)		5,442
Profit for the year	-		-		-		-		-		-		58		58
Other comprehensive income for the year
Share of other comprehensive income of a joint venture (note 17)	-		-		-		-		(7)		-		-		(7)
Total comprehensive    income for the year	-		-		-		-		(7)		-		58		51
Recognition of share-based payment (noted 25)							5								5
Balance as at 31 December 2023 and 1 January 2024	85		7,524		9,646		254		(40)		625		(12,596)		5,498
Loss for the year	-		-		-		-		-		-		(55)		(55)
Other comprehensive income for the year
Share of other comprehensive income of a joint venture (note 17)	-		-		-		-		(9)		-		-		(9)
Total comprehensive income for the year	-		-		-		-		(9)		-		(55)		(64)
Balance at 31 December 2024	85		7,524		9,646		254		(49)		625		(12,651)		5,434

 

 

 The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

 

							Year ended 31 December
						Notes	2024		2023
							US$¡®000		US$¡®000
Cash flows from operating activities
(Loss)/profit before income tax expense							(55)		58
Adjustments for:
Bank interest income						9	(28)		(7)
Depreciation of right-of-use assets						12	65		65
Interest on lease liabilities						11	5		3
Share of losses of a joint venture						17	9		3
Share option expenses						10	-		5
Net realised and unrealised gains on financial assets at fair value through profit or loss						9	(391)		(517)
Operating loss before working capital changes							(395)		(390)
Increase in deposits and prepayments							(5)		-
Decrease/(increase) in other receivables							131		(24)
Decrease in other payables and accruals							-		(3)
Net cash used in operating activities							(269)		(417)
Cash flows from investing activities
Investment in financial assets at fair value through      profit or loss							(161)		(170)
Proceeds from disposal of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss							56		1,239
Bank interest income received							28		7
Net cash (used in)/generated from investing activities							(77)		1,076
Cash flows from financing activities
Repayment of principal portion of lease liabilities						28	(70)		(60)
Repayment of interest portion of lease liabilities						28	(5)		(3)
Net cash used in financing activities							(75)		(63)
Net decrease/(increase) in cash and cash equivalents							(421)		596
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year							1,122		526
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year							701		1,122

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1.      GENERAL INFORMATION

 

         Worldsec Limited (the "Company") is a public listed company incorporated in Bermuda and its shares are listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange. The address of the registered office of the Company is Victoria Place, 5^th Floor, 31 Victoria Street, Hamilton HM 10, Bermuda. Its principal place of business is Unit 607, 6th Floor, 308 Central Des Voeux, 308 Des Voeux Road Central, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong.

 

The principal activity of the Company is investment holding. The principal activities of the Company's subsidiaries are set out in note 20 to the consolidated financial statements.

 

      The functional currency of the Company is Hong Kong Dollars ("HK$"). The consolidated financial  statements of the Company and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the "Group") are presented in United States Dollars ("US$" or "USD").

 

        The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with all applicable International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), International Accounting Standards ("IAS") and Interpretations adopted by the European Union ("EU") (collectively referred to as "IFRS Accounting Standards").

 

2.      APPLICATION OF NEW AND REVISED IFRS ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

 

2.1    New and revised IFRS Accounting Standards applied

 

The following amendments to IFRS Accounting Standards relevant to the Group's accounting policies have been applied by the Group in the current year.

 

Amendments to IAS 1	Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current
Amendments to IAS 1	Non-current Liabilities with Covenants
Amendments to IFRS 16	Lease Liability in a Sale and Leaseback
Amendments to IAS 7 and IFRS 7	Supplier Finance Arrangements

 

The application of the amendments to IFRS Accounting Standards in the current year has had no material impact on the Group's performance and financial positions for the current and prior years and/or on the disclosures in the consolidated financial statements.

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

2.   APPLICATION OF NEW AND REVISED IFRS ACCOUNTING STANDARDS (CONTINUED)

 

2.2    New and revised IFRS Accounting Standards in issue but not yet effective

 

The Group has not applied the following new and revised IFRS Accounting Standards, potentially relevant to the Group's financial statements, that have been issued but are not yet effective. Certain new or revised IFRS Accounting Standards have yet been endorsed by the EU.

 

Amendments to IAS 21	Lack of Exchangeability1
IFRS 18	Presentation and Disclosure Financial Statements2

 

1	Effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2025
2	Effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2027

 

The directors are currently assessing the impact that the application of the new standards and amendments will have on the Group's consolidated financial statements.

 

 

3.      MATERIAL ACCOUNTING POLICY INFORMATION

 

Statement of compliance

                                        

The consolidated financial statements of the Group have been prepared in accordance with all applicable IFRS Accounting Standards.

 

Basis of preparation

              

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost basis except for financial assets at fair value through profit or loss ("FVTPL"), which are measured at fair value as explained in the accounting policies set out below.

 

Basis of consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements comprise the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries. Inter-company transactions and balances between group companies together with unrealised profits are eliminated in full in preparing the consolidated financial statements. Unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of impairment on the asset transferred, in which case the loss is recognised in profit or loss.

 

Subsidiaries

 

A subsidiary is an investee over which the Company is able to exercise control. The Company controls an investee if all three of the following elements are present: (i) power over the investee, (ii) exposure, or rights, to variable returns from the investee, and (iii) the ability to use its power to affect those variable returns. Control is reassessed whenever facts and circumstances indicate that there may be a change in any of these elements of control.

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

3.      MATERIAL ACCOUNTING POLICY INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

 

Joint arrangements

 

The Group is a party to a joint arrangement where there is a contractual arrangement that confers joint control over the relevant activities of the arrangement to the Group and at least one other party. Joint control is assessed under the same principles as control over subsidiaries.

 

The Group classifies its interests in joint arrangements as either:

-     Joint venture: where the Group has rights to only the net assets of the joint arrangement; or

-     Joint operation: where the Group has both the rights to assets and obligations for the liabilities of the joint arrangement.

 

In assessing the classification of interests in joint arrangements, the Group considers:

-     the structure of the joint arrangement;

-     the legal form of the joint arrangement structured through a separate vehicle;

-     the contractual terms of the joint arrangement agreement; and

-     any other facts and circumstances (including any other contractual arrangements).

 

Joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method whereby they are initially recognised at cost and thereafter, their carrying amounts are adjusted for the Group's share of the post-acquisition change in the relevant joint venture's net assets except that losses in excess of the Group's interest in that joint venture are not recognised unless there is a legal and constructive obligation to make good those losses.

 

Profits and losses arising on transactions between the Group and its joint ventures are recognised only to the extent of unrelated investors' interests in the joint ventures. The investors' share in a joint venture's profits and losses resulting from such transactions is eliminated against the carrying value of the joint venture.

 

Any premium paid for an investment in a joint venture above the fair value of the Group's share of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities acquired is capitalised and included in the carrying amount of the investment in the joint venture. Where there is objective evidence that the investment in a joint venture has been impaired, the carrying amount of the investment is tested for impairment in the same way as other non-financial assets.

 

The Group accounts for its interests in joint operations by recognising its share of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses in accordance with its contractually conferred rights and obligations.

 

Revenue recognition

 

                  Dividend income is recognised when the right to receive payment is established.

 

                  Interest income is accrued on a time basis on the principal outstanding at the applicable interest rate.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

3.      MATERIAL ACCOUNTING POLICY INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

 

Leasing

 

All leases (irrespective of whether they are operating leases or finance leases) are required to be capitalised in the statement of financial position as right-of-use assets and lease liabilities, but accounting policy choices exist for an entity to choose not to capitalise (i) leases which are short-term leases and/or (ii) leases for which the underlying asset is of low-value. The Group has elected not to recognise right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for low-value assets and leases which at the commencement date have a lease term less than 12 months. The lease payments associated with those leases are expensed on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

 

Right-of-use assets

 

Right-of-use assets are recognised at cost and would comprise: (i) the amount of the initial measurement of the lease liabilities (see below for the accounting policy to account for lease liabilities); (ii) any lease payments made at or before the commencement date, less any lease incentives received; (iii) any initial direct costs incurred by the lessee; and (iv) an estimate of the costs to be incurred by the lessee in dismantling and removing the underlying asset to the condition required by the terms and conditions of the lease, unless those costs are incurred to produce inventories. The Group measures the right-of-use assets applying a cost model. Under the cost model, the Group measures the right-to-use at cost, less any accumulated depreciation and any impairment losses, and adjusted for any remeasurement of the lease liabilities.

 

Lease liabilities

 

Lease liabilities are recognised at the present value of the lease payments that are not paid at the date of commencement of the lease. The lease payments are discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease, if that rate can be readily determined. If that rate cannot be readily determined, the Group uses its incremental borrowing rate.

 

The following payments for the right-to-use the underlying asset during the lease term that are not paid at the commencement date of the lease are considered to be lease payments: (i) fixed payments less any lease incentives receivable; (ii) variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate, initially measured using the index or the rate as at the commencement date; (iii) amounts expected to be payable by the lessee under residual value guarantees; (iv) the exercise price of a purchase option if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise that option; and (v) payments of penalties for terminating the lease, if the lease term reflects the lessee exercising an option to terminate the lease.

 

Subsequent to the commencement date, the Group measures lease liabilities by: (i) increasing the carrying amount to reflect interest on the lease liability; (ii) reducing the carrying amount to reflect the lease payments made; and (iii) remeasuring the carrying amount to reflect any reassessment or lease modifications, e.g., a change in future lease payments arising from a change in an index or a rate, a change in the lease term, a change in the in substance fixed lease payments or a change in assessment to purchase the underlying asset.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

3.      MATERIAL ACCOUNTING POLICY INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

 

Foreign currencies

 

Transactions entered into by the group entities in currencies other than the currency of the primary economic environment in which they operate are recorded at the rates ruling when the transactions occur. Foreign currency monetary assets and liabilities are translated at the rates ruling at the end of the reporting period. Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are not retranslated.

 

Exchange differences arising on the settlement of monetary items, and on the translation of monetary items, are recognised in profit or loss in the period in which they arise.

 

On consolidation, income and expense items of foreign operations are translated into the presentation currency of the Group (i.e. US$) at the average exchange rates for the year, unless exchange rates fluctuate significantly during the period, in which case the rates approximating to those ruling when the transactions took place are used. All assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated at the rate ruling at the end of the reporting period. Exchange differences arising, if any, are recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity as foreign currency translation reserve (attributed to minority interests as appropriate). Exchange differences recognised in profit or loss of group entities' separate financial statements on the translation of long-term monetary items forming part of the Group's net investment in the foreign operation concerned are reclassified to other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity as foreign currency translation reserve.

 

On disposal of a foreign operation, the cumulative exchange differences recognised in the foreign currency translation reserve relating to that operation up to the date of disposal are reclassified to profit or loss as part of the profit or loss on disposal.

 

Goodwill and fair value adjustments on identifiable assets acquired arising on an acquisition of a foreign operation on or after 1 January 2005 are treated as assets and liabilities of that foreign operation and translated at the rate of exchange prevailing at the end of the reporting period. Exchange differences arising are recognised in the foreign currency translation reserve.

  

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

3.      MATERIAL ACCOUNTING POLICY INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

 

Share-based payments

 

The Group operates equity-settled share-based compensation plans and the share options are awarded to employees and directors providing services to the Group.

 

All services received in exchange for the grant of any share-based compensation are measured at their fair value. These are indirectly determined by reference to the equity instruments awarded. Their value is appraised at the grant date and excludes the impact of any non-market vesting conditions.

 

All share-based compensation is recognised as an expense in profit or loss over the vesting period if vesting conditions apply, or recognised as an expense in full at the grant date when the equity instruments granted vest immediately unless the compensation qualifies for recognition as an asset, with a corresponding increase in the share option reserve in equity. If vesting conditions apply, the expense is recognised over the vesting period, based on the best available estimate of the number of equity instruments expected to vest. Non-market vesting conditions are included in assumptions about the number of equity instruments that are expected to vest. Estimates are subsequently revised, if there is any indication that the number of equity instruments expected to vest differs from previous estimates.

 

At the time when the share options are exercised, the amount previously recognised in share option reserve will be transferred to share premium. After the vesting date, when the vested share options are forfeited or are still not exercised at the expiry date, the amount previously recognised in share option reserve will be transferred to retained profits.

 

Taxation

 

Income tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.

 

Current tax

 

The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from ¡®profit or loss before income tax expense' as reported in the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income because of items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and items that are never taxable or deductible. Current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the end of the reporting period.

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

3.      MATERIAL ACCOUNTING POLICY INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

 

Taxation (Continued)

 

Deferred tax

 

Deferred tax is recognised on temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial statements and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation of taxable profits. Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all taxable temporary differences. Deferred tax assets are generally recognised for all deductible temporary differences to the extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be available against which those deductible temporary differences can be utilised. Such deferred tax assets and liabilities are not recognised if the temporary difference arises from initial recognition (other than in a business combination) of assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the taxable profit nor the accounting profit. In addition, deferred tax liabilities are not recognised if the temporary difference arises from the initial recognition of goodwill.

 

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at the end of each reporting period and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the assets to be recovered.

 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period in which the liability is settled or the asset realised, based on tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the end of the reporting period.

 

The measurement of deferred tax liabilities and assets reflects the tax consequences that would follow from the manner in which the Group expects, at the end of the reporting period, to recover or settle the carrying amounts of its assets and liabilities.

 

Financial instruments

 

(i)       Financial assets

 

A financial asset (unless it is a trade receivable without a significant financing component) is initially measured at fair value plus, for an item not at FVTPL, transaction costs that are directly attributable to its acquisition or issue. A trade receivable without a significant financing component is initially measured at the transaction price.

 

All regular way purchases and sales of financial assets are recognised on the trade date, i.e. the date that the Group commits to purchase or sell the asset. Regular way purchases or sales are purchases or sales of financial assets that require delivery of the asset within the period generally established by regulation or convention in the marketplace.

 

Financial assets with embedded derivatives are considered in their entirely when determining whether their cash flows are solely payment of principal and interest.

  

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

3.      MATERIAL ACCOUNTING POLICY INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

 

Financial instruments (Continued)

 

(i)       Financial assets (Continued)

 

Debt instruments

 

Subsequent measurement of debt instruments depends on the Group's business model for managing the assets and the cash flow characteristics of the assets. There are two measurement categories into which the Group classifies its debt instruments:

 

Amortised cost: Assets that are held for collection of contractual cash flows where those cash flows represent solely payments of principal and interest are measured at amortised cost. Financial assets at amortised cost are subsequently measured using the effective interest rate method. Interest income, foreign exchange gains and losses and impairment are recognised in profit or loss. Any gain on derecognition is recognised in profit or loss.

 

FVTPL: Financial assets at FVTPL include financial assets held for trading, financial assets designated upon initial recognition at FVTPL, or financial assets mandatorily required to be measured at fair value.  Financial assets are classified as held for trading if they are acquired for the purpose of selling or repurchasing in the near term.  Derivatives, including separated embedded derivatives, are also classified as held for trading unless they are designated as effective hedging instruments. Financial assets with cash flows that are not solely payments of principal and interest are classified and measured at FVTPL, irrespective of the business model. Notwithstanding the criteria for debt instruments to be classified at amortised cost, as described above, debt instruments may be designated at FVTPL on initial recognition if doing so eliminates, or significantly reduces, an accounting mismatch.

 

Equity instruments

 

Equity instruments are classified as FVTPL, whereby changes in fair value, dividends and interest income are recognised in profit or loss.

 

(ii)      Impairment loss on financial assets

 

The Group recognises loss allowances for expected credit losses ("ECLs") on financial assets measured at amortised cost. The ECLs are measured on either of the following bases: (1) 12-month ECLs: these are the ECLs that result from possible default events within the 12 months after the reporting date; and (2) lifetime ECLs: these are ECLs that result from all possible default events over the expected life of a financial instrument. The maximum period considered when estimating ECLs is the maximum contractual period over which the Group is exposed to the credit risk.

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

3.      MATERIAL ACCOUNTING POLICY INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

 

Financial instruments (Continued)

 

(ii)      Impairment loss on financial assets (Continued)

 

ECLs are a probability-weighted estimate of credit losses. Credit losses are measured as the difference between all contractual cash flows that are due to the Group in accordance with the contract and all the cash flows that the Group expects to receive. The shortfall is then discounted at an approximation to the asset's original effective interest rate.

 

For debt financial assets, the ECLs are based on the 12-month ECLs. However, when there has been a significant increase in credit risk since origination, the allowance will be based on the lifetime ECLs.

 

When determining whether the credit risk of a financial asset has increased significantly since initial recognition and when estimating ECLs, the Group considers reasonable and supportable information that is relevant and available without undue cost or effort. This includes both quantitative and qualitative information analysis, based on the Group's historical experience and informed credit assessment and including forward-looking information.

 

The Group assumes that the credit risk on a financial asset has increased significantly if it is more than 30 days past due.

 

Despite the foregoing, the Group assumes that the credit risk on a debt instrument has not increased significantly since initial recognition if the debt instrument is determined to have low credit risk at the reporting date. A debt instrument is determined to have low credit risk if (1) it has a low risk of default; (2) the borrower has a strong capacity to meet its contractual cash flow obligations in the near term; and (3) adverse changes in economic and business conditions in the longer term may, but will not necessarily, reduce the ability of the borrower to fulfil its contractual cash flow obligations.

 

The Group considers a financial asset to be in default when: (1) the borrower is unlikely to pay its credit obligations to the Group in full, without recourse by the Group to actions such as realising security (if any is held); or (2) the financial asset is more than 90 days past due.

 

A financial asset is credit-impaired when one or more events of default that have a detrimental impact on the estimated future cash flows of that financial asset have occurred. Evidence that a financial asset is credit-impaired includes observable data about the following events:

 

-    significant financial difficulty of the issuer or the borrower;

-    a breach of contract, such as a default or past due event;

-    the lender(s) of the borrower, for economic or contractual reasons relating to the borrower's financial difficulty, having granted to the borrower a concession(s) that the lender(s) would not otherwise consider;

-    it is becoming probable that the borrower will enter bankruptcy or other financial reorganisation; or

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

3.      MATERIAL ACCOUNTING POLICY INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

 

Financial instruments (Continued)

 

(ii)      Impairment loss on financial assets (Continued)

 

-    the disappearance of an active market for that financial asset because of financial difficulty of the issuer or the borrower.

 

Interest income on a credit-impaired financial asset is calculated based on the amortised cost (i.e. the gross carrying amount less loss allowance) of the financial asset. For non credit-impaired financial assets, interest income is calculated based on the gross carrying amount.

 

The gross carrying amount of a financial asset is written off (either partially or in full) to the extent that there is no realistic prospect of recovery. This is generally the case when the Group determines that the debtor does not have assets or sources of income that could generate sufficient cash flows to repay the amount subject to the write-off.

 

Subsequent recoveries of an asset that was previously written off are recognised as a reversal of impairment in profit or loss in the period in which the recovery occurs.

 

(iii)     Financial liabilities

 

The Group classifies its financial liabilities, depending on the purpose for which the liabilities were incurred.  Financial liabilities at amortised cost are initially measured at fair value, net of directly attributable costs incurred.

 

Financial liabilities at amortised cost

 

Financial liabilities at amortised cost including other payables and accruals and lease liabilities are subsequently measured at amortised cost, using the effective interest method.  The related interest expenses are recognised in profit or loss.

 

Gains or losses are recognised in profit or loss when the liabilities are derecognised as well as through the amortisation process.

 

(iv)     Effective interest method

 

The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a financial asset or financial liability and of allocating interest income or interest expenses over the relevant period.  The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts the estimated future cash receipts or payments through the expected life of the financial asset or liability, or where appropriate, a shorter period.

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

3.      MATERIAL ACCOUNTING POLICY INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

 

Financial instruments (Continued)

 

(v)      Derecognition

 

The Group derecognises a financial asset when the contractual rights to the future cash flows in relation to the financial asset expire or when the financial asset has been transferred and the transfer meets the criteria for derecognition in accordance with IFRS 9 Financial Instruments.

 

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the obligations specified in the relevant contract are discharged, cancelled or expire.

 

Impairment of other assets

 

At the end of each reporting period, the Group reviews the carrying amounts of the following assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss or an impairment loss previously recognised no longer exists or may have decreased:

 

•  property, plant and equipment; and

•  interest in a joint venture

 

If the recoverable amount (i.e. the greater of fair value less costs to disposal and value in use) of an asset is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is recognised as an expense immediately.

 

Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset in prior years.

 

A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss immediately.

 

Value in use is based on the estimated future cash flows expected to be derived from the asset or cash generating unit, discounted to its present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset or the cash generating unit.

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

3.      MATERIAL ACCOUNTING POLICY INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

 

Related parties

 

(a)     A person or a close member of that person's family is related to the Group if that person:

 

(i)        has control or joint control over the Group;

(ii)       has significant influence over the Group; or

(iii)      is a member of key management personnel of the Group or the Company's parent.

 

(b)  An entity is related to the Group if any of the following conditions apply:

 

(i)        The entity and the Group are members of the same group (which means that each parent, subsidiary and fellow subsidiary is related to the others);

(ii)       One entity is an associate or joint venture of the other entity (or an associate or joint venture of a member of a group of which the other entity is a member);

(iii)      Both entities are joint ventures of the same third party;

(iv)      One entity is a joint venture of a third entity and the other entity is an associate of the third entity;

(v)       The entity is a post-employment benefit plan for the benefit of the employees of the Group or an entity related to the Group;

(vi)      The entity is controlled or jointly controlled by a person identified in (a);

(vii)     A person identified in (a)(i) has significant influence over the entity or is a member of key management personnel of the entity (or of a parent of the entity); or

(viii)    The entity, or any member of a group of which it is a part, provides key management personnel services to the Group or to the Company's parent.

 

Close members of the family of a person are those family members who may be expected to influence, or be influenced by, that person in his dealings with the entity and include:

 

(i)      that person's children and spouse or domestic partner;

(ii)     children of that person's spouse or domestic partner; and

(iii)    dependents of that person or that person's spouse or domestic partner.

        

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

4.  CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS AND KEY SOURCES OF ESTIMATION UNCERTAINTY

 

In the application of the Group's accounting policies, which are described in note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, management is required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and underlying assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

 

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to an accounting estimate are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.

           

         Key sources of estimation uncertainty

 

The key sources of estimation uncertainty that have a significant risk of resulting in material adjustments to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are as follows:

 

(i)      Impairment of financial assets (including amount due from a joint venture)

 

The loss allowances for financial assets are based on assumptions about risk of default and expected loss rates. The Group uses its judgement in making these assumptions and selecting the inputs to the impairment calculation, based on the Group's past history, existing market conditions as well as forward looking estimates at the end of each reporting period.

 

(ii)     Impairment of non-financial assets (including interest in a joint venture)

 

The Group assesses whether there are any indications of impairment for all non-financial assets at each reporting date. Non-financial assets are tested for impairment when there are indications that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.

 

(iii)    Fair value measurement of investments classified as FVTPL categorised within level 3 of the Fair Value Hierarchy (as defined in note 5(c))

 

The fair value of investments that are not traded in an active market is determined using valuation techniques. The Group uses its judgement to select a variety of methods and make assumptions that are mainly based on market conditions existing at the end of each reporting period. Details of the key assumptions used and the impact of changes to these assumptions are disclosed in note 5(c) to the consolidated financial statements.

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

5.      FINANCIAL instruments

 

(a)  Categories of financial instruments

 

	2024		2023
	US$'000		US$'000
Financial assets
Financial assets at FVTPL	4,450		3,954
Financial assets at amortised cost	1,097		1,652
	5,547		5,606
Financial liabilities
Financial liabilities at amortised cost	212		282

 

(b)  Financial risk management objectives

 

Management monitors and manages the financial risks relating to the operations of the Group through internal risk reports which analyse exposures by degree and magnitude of risks. These risks include market risks (including foreign currency risk, interest rate risk and price risk), credit risk and liquidity risk. The policies on how the Group mitigates these risks are set out below. The Group does not enter into or trade derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes.

 

Market risks

   

The Group's activities expose it primarily to the financial risks of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and market price of the investments.

 

There has been no change to the Group's exposure to market risks or the manner in which these risks are managed and measured.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

5.      FINANCIAL instruments (CONTINUED)

 

(b)  Financial risk management objectives (Continued)

 

                  Market risks (Continued)

 

(i)      Foreign currency risk

 

Certain financial assets and financial liabilities of the Group are denominated in foreign currencies other than the functional currency of the relevant group entities, which exposes the Group to foreign currency risk. The Group currently does not have a foreign currency hedging policy. However, management monitors foreign exchange exposure and will consider hedging significant foreign currency exposure should the need arise. Under the Linked Exchange Rate System in Hong Kong, HK$ is currently pegged to the USD within a narrow range, the directors therefore consider that there is no significant foreign exchange risk with respect to the USD.

 

Foreign currency risk arises primarily from volatility in the British Pound Sterling ("GBP"). The carrying amounts of the Group's foreign currency denominated monetary assets and monetary liabilities at the end of reporting period were as follows:

 

	Liabilities				Assets
	2024		2023		2024		2023
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
GBP	86		87		1		1

 

The following table details the Group's sensitivity to a 10% (2023: 10%) increase and decrease in USD against the relevant foreign currency. 10% is the sensitivity rate used when reporting foreign currency risk internally to key management personnel and represents management's assessment of the reasonably possible change in the relevant foreign exchange rate. The sensitivity analysis includes only outstanding foreign currency denominated monetary items and adjusts its translation as at year end for a 10% (2023: 10%) change in the relevant foreign currency rate. A positive number below indicates an increase in profit or a decrease in loss for the year and a decrease in accumulated losses had USD strengthened 10% (2023: 10%) against the relevant foreign currency. For a 10% (2023: 10%) weakening of USD against the relevant foreign currency, there would have been an equal and opposite impact on profit or loss for the year and on accumulated losses.

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

5.      FINANCIAL instruments (CONTINUED)

 

(b)  Financial risk management objectives (Continued)

 

                  Market risks (Continued)

 

(i)      Foreign currency risk (Continued)

 

			2024		2023
			US$'000		US$'000
Change in post-tax profit or loss for the year
GBP/USD appreciated by 10% (USD depreciated)			(9)		(9)
GBP/USD depreciated by 10% (USD appreciated)			9		9

 

(ii)     Interest rate risk

 

The Group's exposure to changes in interest rates is mainly attributable to its bank deposits at variable interest rates. Bank deposits at variable rates expose the Group to cash flow interest rate risk.

 

The directors consider that the exposure to cash flow interest rate risk was insignificant. Hence, no sensitivity analysis on the exposure to the Group's cash flow interest rate risk is presented.

 

(iii)    Price risk

 

Price risk is the risk that the value of a financial instrument will fluctuate as a result of changes in market prices (other than those arising from foreign currency risk), whether caused by factors specific to an individual investment or its issuer, or factors affecting all instruments.

 

All of the Group's unlisted investments are held for long term strategic purposes. Their performance is assessed at least annually against performance of any similar listed entities, based on the limited information available to the Group, together with an assessment of their relevance to the Group's long term strategic plans. 

 

Sensitivity analysis

 

The sensitivity analysis on price risk includes the Group's financial instruments, the fair value or future cash flows of which will fluctuate because of changes in their corresponding equity prices. If the prices of the Group's equity instruments had been 5% (2023: 5%) higher/lower, loss for the year would have decreased/increased by approximately US$21,000 (2023: profit for the year would have increased/decreased by approximately US$11,000).

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

5.      FINANCIAL instruments (CONTINUED)

 

(b)  Financial risk management objectives (Continued)

 

Credit risk

 

The Group's maximum exposure to credit risk which could cause a financial loss to the Group due to the failures to discharge an obligation by the counterparties arises from the carrying amounts of the respective recognised financial assets as stated in the consolidated statement of financial position.

 

The credit risk on liquid funds is limited because the major counterparties are banks with high credit ratings assigned by international credit-rating agencies. As at 31 December 2024, approximately 100% (2023: 100%) of the bank balances were deposited with a bank with a high credit rating. Other than concentration of credit risk on liquid funds deposited with that bank, the Group did not have any other significant concentration of credit risk.

 

For other receivables, deposits and amount due from a joint venture, management makes periodic individual assessment on the recoverability based on historical settlement records, past experience and also available reasonable and supportive forward-looking information. Management believes that there was no material credit risk inherent in the Group's outstanding balances of other receivables, deposits and amount due from a joint venture. None of these receivables have been subject to a significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition and the expected credit loss was insignificant based on the risk of default of those counterparties under 12-month ECLs approach as at 31 December 2024 and 31 December 2023. Thus, no loss allowance was recognised as at 31 December 2024 and 31 December 2023.

 

Liquidity risk

 

Ultimate responsibility for liquidity risk management rests with the Board of Directors, which has established an appropriate liquidity risk management framework to meet the Group's short, medium and long-term funding and liquidity management requirements. The Group manages liquidity risk by maintaining adequate reserves, by regularly monitoring forecast and actual cash flows and by matching the maturity profiles of financial assets and liabilities.

         

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

5.      FINANCIAL instruments (CONTINUED)

 

(b)  Financial risk management objectives (Continued)

 

         Liquidity risk (Continued)

 

The following table details the Group's remaining contractual maturity for its non-derivative financial liabilities with agreed repayment periods. The table has been drawn up based on the undiscounted cash flows of financial liabilities based on the earliest date on which the Group can be required to pay.

 

	Within 1 year or on demand		More than 1 year but less than 5 years		Total contractual undiscounted cash flows		Carrying amount
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
As at 31 December 2024
Other payables and accruals	157		-		157		157
Lease liabilities	56		-		56		55
	213		-		213		212

 

	Within 1 year or on demand		More than 1 year but less than 5 years		Total contractual undiscounted cash flows		Carrying amount
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
As at 31 December 2023
Other payables and accruals	157		-		157		157
Lease liabilities	75		56		131		125
	232		56		288		282

 

(c)  Fair value of financial instruments

 

The fair value measurement of the Group's financial and non-financial assets and liabilities utilises market observable inputs and data as far as possible. Inputs used in determining fair value measurements are categorised into different levels based on how observable the inputs used in the valuation technique utilised are (the "Fair Value Hierarchy"):

 

Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the assets or liabilities, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices); and

Level 3: Inputs for the assets or liabilities that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

5.      FINANCIAL instruments (CONTINUED)

 

(c)  Fair value of financial instruments (Continued)

 

(i)     Financial instruments not measured at fair value

 

Financial instruments not measured at fair value include cash and cash equivalents, other receivables, deposits, amount due from a joint venture and other payables and accruals.

 

Due to their short-term nature, the carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, other receivables, deposits, amount due from a joint venture and other payables and accruals approximated fair value.

 

(ii)    Financial instruments measured at fair value

 

Financial assets at FVTPL included in the consolidated financial statements require measurement at, and disclosure of, fair value.

 

The fair value of financial instruments with standard terms and conditions and traded on active liquid markets is determined with reference to quoted market prices.

 

The valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs used in determining the fair value measurement of level 3 financial instruments as well as the relationship between key observable inputs and fair value are set out in note (iii) below.

 

(iii)   Information about level 3 fair value measurement

 

The fair value of the Group's level 3 investments in the ICBC Specialised Ship Leasing Investment Fund and VS SPC Limited were estimated with reference to their net asset value which was a significant unobservable input. The Group has determined that the reported net asset value represents fair value at the end of the report period.

 

The fair value of the Group's level 3 investments in the Homaer Asset Management Master Fund SPC and the Hermitage Galaxy Fund SPC were estimated using market approach with the significant inputs being the recent market transaction prices of the underlying investment of the respective funds. The Group has determined that the recent market transaction prices represent fair value at the end of the reporting period.

 

There were no changes in these valuation techniques during the year ended 31 December 2024.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

5.      FINANCIAL instruments (CONTINUED)

 

(c)  Fair value of financial instruments (Continued)

 

The following table provides an analysis of the Group's financial instruments carried at fair value by level of Fair Value Hierarchy:

 

	2024
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
Listed investments	427		-		-		427
Unlisted investments	-		-		4,023		4,023
	427		-		4,023		4,450

 

	2023
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
Listed investments	220		-		-		220
Unlisted investments	-		-		3,734		3,734
	220		-		3,734		3,954

 

Reconciliation for level 3 financial assets at FVTPL carried at fair value based on significant unobservable inputs are as follows:

 

	2024		2023
	US$'000		US$'000
At 1 January	3,734		4,372
Disposal	-		(326)
Fair value adjustment	289		(312)
At 31 December	4,023		3,734

 

Fair value adjustment of financial assets at FVTPL was recognised in the line item ¡®other income, gains and losses, net' on the face of the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income.

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

6.      CAPITAL RISK MANAGEMENT

 

The Group's objective of managing capital is to safeguard its ability to continue as a going concern in order to provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders and to maintain an optimal capital structure to reduce cost of capital.

 

In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group may return capital to shareholders, issue new shares or sell assets to reduce debts.

 

The capital structure of the Group consists only of equity attributable to owners of the Company, comprising share capital and reserves.

 

Net debt has been calculated as total liabilities less cash and cash equivalents.

 

The gearing ratio at the end of the reporting period was as follows:

 

	Year ended 31 December
		2024		2023
		US$'000		US$'000
Debt		212		282
Cash and cash equivalents		(701)		(1,122)
		(489)		(840)
Equity attributable to owners of the Company		5,434		5,498
Net debt to equity		0%		0%

 

 

7.      REVENUE

 

The Group had no revenue from contracts with customers as defined under IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers. An analysis of the Group's revenue from other sources is as follows:

 

	Year ended 31 December
		2024		2023
		US$'000		US$'000
Dividend income from financial assets at FVTPL		118		112

 

 

8.      SEGMENT Information

 

An operating segment is a component of the Group that is engaged in business activities from which the Group may earn revenue and incur expenses, and is identified on the basis of the internal management reporting information that is provided to and regularly reviewed by the Group's chief operating decision makers in order to allocate resources and assess performance of the segment. For the years ended 31 December 2024 and 2023, the executive directors, who were the chief operating decision makers for the purpose of resource allocation and assessment of performance, have determined that the Group had only one single business component/reportable segment as the Group was only engaged in investment holding. The executive directors allocated resources and assessed performance on an aggregated basis. Accordingly, no segment information is presented.

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

8.      SEGMENT Information (CONTINUED)

 

The major operations and the revenue of the Group arise from Hong Kong. The Board of Directors considers that most of the non-current assets (other than the financial instruments) of the Group are located in Hong Kong.

 

 

9.      OTHER INCOME, GAINS AND LOSSES, NET

 

	Year ended 31 December
		2024		2023
		US$'000		US$'000
Bank interest income		28		7
Net realised and unrealised gains on financial assets at FVTPL		391		517
Foreign exchange gain/(loss), net		11		(3)
		430		521

 

 

10.    STAFF COSTS

 

         The aggregate staff costs (including directors' remuneration) of the Group were as follows:

 

	Year ended 31 December
	2024		2023
	US$'000		US$'000
Wages and salaries	272		274
Contributions to pension and provident fund	7		7
Share-based payment	-		5
	279		286
Compensation of key management personnel (included in the above amounts) was as follows:
	Year ended 31 December
	2024		2023
	US$'000		US$'000
Directors' fees	75		76
Share-based payment	-		5
	75		81

 

 

11.    FINANCE COSTS

 

		Year ended 31 December
		2024		2023
		US$'000		US$'000
Interest on lease liabilities		5		3

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

12.    (LOSS)/PROFIT BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE

 

         (Loss)/profit before income tax expense has been arrived at after charging:

 

	Year ended 31 December
	2024		2023
	US$'000		US$'000
Auditor's remuneration	55		55
Depreciation of right-of-use assets	65		65

 

 

13.    INCOME TAX EXPENSE

 

            No provision for income tax has been made as the Group did not generate any assessable profits that were subject to United Kingdom Corporation Tax, Hong Kong Profits Tax or taxes in other jurisdictions.

 

The tax charge for 2024 and 2023 can be reconciled to the (loss)/profit before income tax expense per the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income as follows:

 

		Year ended 31 December
		2024		2023
		US$'000		US$'000
(Loss)/profit before income tax expense		(55)		58
Tax (credit)/charge calculated at Hong Kong Profits Tax rate of 16.5% (2023: 16.5%)		(9)		9
Tax effect of non-deductible expenses		47		111
Tax effect of non-taxable income		(90)		(170)
Tax effect of estimated tax losses not recognised		52		50
Tax charge for the year		-		-

 

As at 31 December 2024, the Group had estimated tax losses arising in Hong Kong of approximately US$2,181,000 (2023: US$1,864,000) that can be carried forward indefinitely under Hong Kong tax law. No deferred tax asset has been recognised in respect of the unused tax losses due to the unpredictability of future profit streams.  No deferred tax asset has been recognised in relation to the other deductible temporary differences of approximately US$38,000 (2023: US$41,000) as it is not probable that taxable profits will be available against which the deductible temporary differences can be utilised. The deductible temporary differences can be carried forward indefinitely.

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

14.     (LOSS)/EARNINGS PER SHARE      

     

The (loss)/earnings and weighted average number of ordinary shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted (loss)/earnings per share were as follows.

 

		Year ended 31 December
		2024		2023
(Loss)/profit for the year attributable to owners of the Company (US$'000)		(55)		58
Number of shares
Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purposes of basic and diluted (loss)/earnings per share		85,101,870		85,101,870
(Loss)/earnings per share - basic and diluted		US(0.06) cent		US0.07 cent

 

Diluted (loss)/earnings per share was the same as basic (loss)/earnings per share for the years ended 31 December 2024 and 2023 as there were no potential dilutive ordinary shares outstanding at the end of both years.

 

15.     DIVIDENDS

 

No dividend was paid or proposed during the year ended 31 December 2024, nor has any dividend been proposed since the end of the reporting period (2023: nil).

 

16.     PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT     

     

	Leasehold improvements
	US$'000
Cost
At 1 January 2023, 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024	69
Accumulated depreciation
At 1 January 2023, 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024	69
Carrying amount
At 31 December 2023	-
At 31 December 2024	-

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

17.     INTEREST IN A JOINT VENTURE

 

	2024			2023
	US$'000			US$'000
Unlisted investment, at cost	257			257
Accumulated share of post-acquisition losses of the joint venture	(165)			(156)
Accumulated share of post-acquisition other comprehensive income of the joint venture	(49)			(40)
Share of net assets of the joint venture	43			61
Amount due from the joint venture	257				257

 

         The amount due from the joint venture was unsecured, interest-free and repayable on demand.

 

On 12 December 2014, the Group entered into a subscription agreement with an independent third party and Oasis Education Group Limited ("Oasis Education") pursuant to which the Group made an investment by way of capital contribution and shareholder's loan, for a 50% interest in Oasis Education.

 

The contractual arrangement provides the Group with only the rights to the net assets of the joint arrangement, with the rights to the assets and obligations for the liabilities of the joint arrangement resting primarily with Oasis Education. Under IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements, this joint arrangement was classified as a joint venture and has been included in the consolidated financial statements using the equity method.

 

         Details of the joint venture were as follows:

Name		Country of incorporation and operation		Proportion of ownership interest			Paid-up registered Capital		Principal activities
				Direct	Indirect
Oasis Education Group Limited 奧偉詩教育集團有限公司		Hong Kong		50%	-		HK$4,000,000		Investment holding
奧偉詩教育咨詢(深圳)有限公司		The People's   Republic   of China   (the "PRC")		-	50%		HK$5,000,000		Provision of education consulting and support services to kindergartens in the PRC

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

17.     INTEREST IN A JOINT VENTURE (CONTINUED)

 

The aggregate amounts related to the joint venture that have been included in the consolidated financial statements of the Group as extracted from the financial statements of the joint venture, adjusted to reflect adjustments made by the Group when applying the equity method of accounting, are set out below:

 

	2024		2023
Results of the joint venture for the year	US$'000		US$'000
Revenue	-		-
Other income	-		-
Expenses	(17)		(6)
Loss for the year	(17)		(6)
Other comprehensive income for the year	(19)		(15)
Total comprehensive income for the year	(36)		(21)

 

Share of losses of the joint venture for the year	(9)		(3)
Share of other comprehensive income of the  joint venture for the year	(9)		(7)
Accumulated share of results of the joint venture	(165)		(156)

 

Assets and liabilities of the joint venture at 31 December
	2024		2023
	US$'000		US$'000
Non-current assets	-		-
Current assets	679		715
Non-current liabilities	-		-
Current liabilities	(594)		(594)
Net assets	85		121
Included in the above amounts were:
Cash and cash equivalents	167		171
Depreciation and amortisation	-		-
Interest income	-		-
Interest expenses	-		-
Current financial liabilities (excluding trade and other payables)	594		594
Percentage of equity interest attributable to the Group	50%		50%
Share of net assets of the joint venture	43		61

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

18.     FINANCIAL ASSETS AT FAIR VALUE THROUGH PROFIT OR LOSS

 

	2024		2023
	US$'000		US$'000
Financial assets at FVTPL
Listed investments, at fair value	427		220
Unlisted investments, at fair value	4,023		3,734
	4,450		3,954
Less: Current portion	(355)		(190)
Non-current portion	4,095		3,764

 

 

19.     RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS AND LEASE LIABILITIES

 

The Group leased an office premise with a lease term of 2 years at a fixed rate. The weighted average lessee's incremental borrowing rate applied to lease liabilities recognised in the consolidated statement of financial position was 5%. The carrying amounts of the Group's right-of-use assets and lease liabilities were as follows:

 

	Office premises
	Right-of-use assets		Lease liabilities
	US$'000		US$'000
As at 1 January 2023	48		55
Lease modification	130		130
Lease payments	-		(63)
Depreciation charge	(65)		-
Interest expenses	-		3
As at 31 December 2023 and 1 January 2024	113		125
Lease payments	-		(75)
Depreciation charge	(65)	)	-
Interest expenses	-		5
As at 31 December 2024	48		55

 

          Future lease payments are due as follows:

 

As at 31 December 2024	Minimum lease payments		Interest		Present value
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
Not later than one year	56		(1)		55

 

 

As at 31 December 2023	Minimum lease payments		Interest		Present value
	US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
Not later than one year	75		(5)		70
Later than one year and not later than five years	56		(1)		55
	131		(6)		125

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

20.    SUBSIDIARIES

 

         Details of the subsidiaries of the Company were as follows:

 

Name		Country of incorporation		Proportion of ownership interest			Proportion of voting power held			Principal activities
				2024	2023		2024	2023
Worldsec Financial Services Limited		The British  Virgin  Islands		100%	100%		100%	100%		Investment  holding
Worldsec Corporate Finance Limited		The British  Virgin  Islands		100%*	100%*		100%*	100%*		Inactive
Worldsec Investment (Hong Kong) Limited   Worldsec Investment (China) Limited		Hong Kong     The British  Virgin  Islands		100%*     100%*	100%*     100%*		100%*     100%*	100%*     100%*		Investment  holding   Investment  holding

 

*  Indirectly held subsidiaries

 

 

21.    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

		2024		2023
		US$'000		US$'000
Bank balances		296		480
Cash balances		1		1
Time deposits with original maturity within three months		404		641
		701		1,122

 

        Bank balances bore interest at the then prevailing market rates ranging from 0.001% to 0.01% (2023: 0.001% to 0.01%) per annum and had original maturities of three months or less. Time deposits bore interest at 3.5% (2023: 4.0% to 4.5%) per annum and had original maturities within three months.

 

 

22.    OTHER PAYABLES AND ACCRUALS

 

		2024		2023
		US$'000		US$'000
Other payables and accruals		157		157

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

23.    SHARE CAPITAL

 

		Number of shares		Total US$'000
Authorised:
Ordinary shares of US$0.001 each
At 1 January 2023, 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024		60,000,000,000		60,000
Called up, issued and fully paid:
Ordinary shares of US$0.001 each
At 1 January 2023, 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024		85,101,870		85

 

 

24.    RESERVES

 

(a)   The share premium account represents the premium arising from the issue of shares of the Company at a premium.

 

(b)   The contributed surplus represents the amount arising from the reduction in the nominal value of the authorised and issued shares of the Company and the reduction in the share premium account pursuant to an ordinary resolution passed on 23 July 2003.

 

(c)   Share option reserve comprises the fair value of the Company's share options which have been granted but which have yet to be exercised, as further explained in the accounting policy for share-based payment transactions in note 3 to the consolidated financial statements. The amount will either be transferred to the issued capital account and the share premium account when the related options are exercised, or be transferred to accumulated losses should the related options expire or be forfeited.

 

(d)   Exchange differences relating to the translation of the net assets of the Group's foreign operations (including a joint venture) from their functional currencies to the Group's presentation currency were recognised directly in other comprehensive income and accumulated in the foreign currency translation reserve. Such exchange differences accumulated in the foreign currency translation reserve will be reclassified to profit or loss on the disposal of the foreign operations.

 

(e)   The special reserve represents the amount arising from the difference between the nominal value of the issued share capital of each subsidiary and the nominal value of the issued share capital of the Company along with the surplus arising in a subsidiary on group reorganisation completed on 26 February 2007.

 

(f)    Accumulated losses represent accumulated net gains and losses recognised in the profit or loss of the Group.

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

25.    SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS

 

The Company operates an equity-settled share-based remuneration scheme for the employees and directors.

 

On 1 December 2015, the Company granted to certain eligible persons a total of 2,950,000 share options to subscribe on a one for one basis new ordinary shares of US$0.001 each in the share capital of the Company under the Worldsec Employee Share Option Scheme 1997 (the "Option Scheme") which was revised on 24 September 2014. The share options vested six months from the date of grant and were then exercisable within a period of 9.5 years.

 

On 29 May 2019, the Company granted to certain eligible persons a total of 2,050,000 share options to subscribe on a one for one basis new ordinary shares of US$0.001 each in the share capital of the Company under the Option Scheme. The share options vested six months from the date of grant and were then exercisable within a period of 9.5 years.

 

On 20 February 2023, the Company granted 350,000 share options to a director to subscribe on a one for one basis new ordinary shares of US$0.001 each in the Company at an exercise price of US$0.034 per share under the Option Scheme. The share options vested six months from the date of grant and were then exercisable within a period of 9.5 years.

 

The following table discloses the movements of the outstanding share options under the Option Scheme during the years ended 31 December 2024 and 2023.

 

 

		Number of options
Grantee	Exercisable period	Balance at 1 January 2024	Granted during the year	Exercised during the year	Forfeited during the year	Lapsed during the year	Balance at 31 December 2024	Exercise price per share (US$)
Directors	20 August 2023 to 19 February 2033   29 November 2019 to 28 May 2029   1 June 2016 to 30 November 2025	350,000       1,750,000       2,500,000	-       -       -	-       -       -	-       -       -	-       -       -	350,000       1,750,000       2,500,000	0.034       0.034       0.122
Employees	29 November 2019 to 28 May 2029   1 June 2016 to 30 November 2025	300,000       450,000	-       -	-       -	-       -	-       -	300,000       450,000	0.034       0.122
		5,350,000	-	-	-	-	5,350,000

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

25.    SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

		Number of options
Grantee	Exercisable period	Balance at 1 January 2023	Granted during the year	Exercised during the year	Forfeited during the year	Lapsed during the year	Balance at 31 December 2023	Exercise price per share (US$)
Directors	20 August 2023 to 19 February 2033   29 November 2019 to 28 May 2029   1 June 2016 to 30 November 2025	-       1,750,000       2,500,000	350,000       -       -	-       -       -	-       -       -	-       -       -	350,000       1,750,000       2,500,000	0.034       0.034       0.122
Employees	29 November 2019 to 28 May 2029   1 June 2016 to 30 November 2025	300,000       450,000	-       -	-       -	-       -	-       -	300,000       450,000	0.034       0.122
		5,000,000	350,000	-	-	-	5,350,000

 

No share-based payment was charged to the profit or loss account of the Group during the year ended 31 December 2024 (2023: US$5,000).

 

Of the total number of share options outstanding at the end of the year, all (2023: all) had vested and were exercisable at the end of the year.

 

No share option was exercised during the years ended 31 December 2024 and 2023.

 

The weighted average remaining contractual life for the share options outstanding at the end of the reporting period was 2.7 years (2023: 3.7 years)

 

26.    RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

Other than the compensation of key management personnel as disclosed below, the Group did not have any related party transactions during the years ended 31 December 2024 and 2023.

 

Compensation of key management personnel

 

Key management personnel were the directors only. The remuneration of directors is set out in note 10 to the consolidated financial statements.

 

 

27.     CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

 

          The Group had no material contingent liabilities at 31 December 2024 (2023: nil).

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

28.     NOTES SUPPORTING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

 

(a)        Cash and cash equivalents comprise:

 

	2024		2023
	US$'000		US$'000
Cash available on demand	701		1,122

 

 

(b)       Reconciliation of liabilities arising from financing activities:

 

			Lease liabilities (note 19)
			US$'000
At 1 January 2023			55
Changes from cash flows:
Repayment of principal portion of lease liabilities			(60)
Repayment of interest portion of lease liabilities			(3)
Total changes from financing cash flows			(63)
Other changes: Interest on lease liabilities			3 130
			133
At 1 January 2024			125
Changes from cash flows:
Repayment of principal portion of lease liabilities			(70)
Repayment of interest portion of lease liabilities			(5)
Total changes from financing cash flows			(75)
Other changes:
Interest on lease liabilities			5
			5
At 31 December 2024			55

 

INVESTMENT POLICY

 

The Company will invest in small to medium sized trading companies, being companies, both start-up/early stage growth and established, with a turnover typically up to US$20 million, based mainly in the Greater China and South East Asian region, and thereby create a portfolio of minority investments in such companies.

 

The Company's investment objective is to achieve attractive investment returns through capital appreciation on a medium to long term horizon. The Directors consider between 2 to 4 years to be medium term and long term to be over 4 years. The Directors intend to build an investment portfolio of small to medium sized companies based mainly in the Greater China and South East Asian regions. The Company may also take advantage of opportunities to invest in companies in other jurisdictions, such as the United Kingdom, which have close trading links with Greater China and South East Asia. Investments will normally be in equity or preferred equity but if appropriate convertible loans or preference shares may be utilised.

 

The Company has no intention to employ gearing, but reserves the right to gear the Company to a maximum level of 25 per cent. of the last published net asset value of the Group should circumstances arise where, in the opinion of the Directors, the use of debt would be to the advantage of the Company and the Shareholders as a whole.

 

The investment portfolio will consist primarily of unlisted companies but the Directors will also consider investing in undervalued listed companies, if and when such an opportunity arises. Where suitable opportunities are identified, investment in companies considering a stock market listing at the pre-initial public offering stage will be considered.

 

No more than 20 per cent. of the gross assets of the Group will be invested in any single investment. The Directors consider that opportunities will arise to invest in investee companies by the issue of new ordinary shares of the Company at a discount of no more than 10 per cent. of the mid market price at the time of agreement of their issue in exchange for new equity, preferred equity or convertible instrument in the investee company. Target sectors are financial services, consumer retail distribution, natural resources and infrastructure but the Company will seek to take advantage of opportunities in other sectors if these arise.

 

The Company's portfolio in due course will comprise at least five different investee companies, thereby reducing the potential impact of poor performance by any individual investment.

 

The Company does not intend to take majority interests in any investee company, save in circumstances where the Company exercises any rights granted under legal agreements governing its investment. Each investment by the Company will be made on terms individually negotiated with each investee company, and the Company will seek to be able to exercise control over the affairs of any investee company in the event of a default by the investee company or its management of their respective obligations under the legal agreements governing each investment. Where appropriate, the Company will seek representation on the board of companies in which it invests. Where board representation is secured in an investee company, remuneration for such appointment will be paid to the benefit of the Company thereby enhancing returns on the investment. There will be no intention to be involved in the day to day management of the investee company but the skills and connections of the board representative will be applied in assisting the development of the investee company, with the intention of enhancing shareholder value. The Company will arrange no cross funding between investee companies and neither will any common treasury function operate for any investee company; each investee company will operate independently of each other investee company.

 

Where the Company has cash awaiting investment, it will seek to maximise the return on such sums through investment in floating rate notes or similar instruments with banks or other financial institutions with an investment grade rating or investment in equity securities issued by companies which have paid dividends for each of the previous three years.

 

Any material change to the Investment Policy may only be made with the prior approval of the Shareholders.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES OF THE DIRECTORS                                                             

 

The Board of Directors has ultimate responsibility for the Group's affairs.

 

Brief biographical notes of the directors are set out below:

 

Alastair Gunn-Forbes - Non-Executive Chairman - aged 80

 

Mr Gunn-Forbes has been associated with Asian regional stock markets since 1973 when he was a fund manager at Brown Shipley Ltd. Subsequently, he was a director of W I Carr, Sons & Co. (Overseas) Ltd until 1985, since when he held directorships with other Asian securities firms in the United Kingdom prior to joining the Group in 1993. Mr Gunn-Forbes is the Chairman of Opera Holdings Limited, a recruitment company.

 

Henry Ying Chew Cheong - Executive Director and Deputy Chairman - aged 77

 

Mr Cheong holds a Bachelor of Science (Mathematics) degree from Chelsea College, University of London and a Master of Science (Operational Research and Management) degree from Imperial College, University of London.

 

Mr Cheong has over 40 years of experience in the securities industry. Mr Cheong and The Mitsubishi Bank in Japan (now known as The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd) founded the Worldsec Group in 1991. In late 2002, Worldsec Group sold certain securities businesses to UOB Kay Hian Holdings Limited and following that Mr Cheong became the Chief Executive Officer of UOB Asia (Hong Kong) Ltd until early 2005. Prior to the formation of the Worldsec Group, Mr Cheong was a director of James Capel (Far East) Ltd for five years with overall responsibility for Far East Sales. His earlier professional experience includes 11 years with Vickers da Costa Limited in Hong Kong, latterly as Managing Director.

 

Mr Cheong was a member of the Securities and Futures Appeals Tribunal and a member of the Advisory Committee of the Securities and Futures Commission in Hong Kong ("SFC") (from 2009-2015). Mr Cheong was previously a member of Disciplinary Panel A of Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (from 2005-2011). He was a member of the Corporate Advisory Council of the Hong Kong Securities Institute (from 2002-2009), a member of the Advisory Committee to the SFC (from 1993-1999), a member of the board of directors of the Hong Kong Future Exchange Limited (from 1994-2000), a member of GEM Listing Committee and Main Board Listing Committee of Hong Kong Exchange and Clearing Limited ("HKEX") (from May 2002-May 2006), a member of Derivatives Market Consultative Panel of HKEX (from April 2000-May 2006), a member of the Process Review Panel for the SFC (from November 2000-October 2006) and a member of the Committee on Real Estate Investment Trust of the SFC (from September 2003-August 2006).

 

Mr Cheong is an Independent Non-Executive Director of CK Asset Holdings Limited, CK Infrastructure Holdings Limited, New World Department Store China Limited, and Skyworth Digital Holdings Limited, all being listed companies in Hong Kong. Mr Cheong is also an Independent Director of BTS Group Holdings Public Company Limited, being listed in Thailand.   He was previously an Independent Non-Executive Director of CNNC International Limited, Greenland Hong Kong Holdings Limited, Hutchison Telecommunications Hong Kong Holdings Limited and TOM Group Limited, all being listed companies in Hong Kong.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES OF THE DIRECTORS (CONTINUED)                                  

 

Ernest Chiu Shun She - Executive Director - aged 64

 

Mr She is an investment banker with extensive experience in the field of corporate finance. In his executive management roles at various investment banks and financial institutions, including notably Worldsec Corporate Finance Limited where he had a long and committed stint, Mr She has covered a broad and diverse range of financial advisory and fundraising activities in the Asian regional equity markets.

 

Since rejoining the Group to assist in the reactivation of its business operations in 2013, Mr She has been an Executive Director of the Company working on private equity investments.

 

Mr She has a deep-rooted and long-standing connection with the Worldsec group of companies, being one of the co-founding team members at the time when the entities were established in the early 1990s. For more than a decade that followed and until the disposal by the Group of certain securities businesses to UOB Kay Hian Holdings Limited in 2002, Mr She held senior management positions at Worldsec Corporate Finance Limited and Worldsec International Limited with the main responsibility of developing and overseeing the Group's corporate finance activities.

 

Prior to his tenure at the Worldsec group of companies, Mr She was an Investment Analyst and an Associate Director at James Capel (Far East) Limited where he was primarily responsible for equity research in the real estate sector.

 

Mr She graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Industrial Engineering and earned a Master of Science degree in Management Science specialising in Operational Research from the Imperial College of Science and Technology. Mr She is a Chartered Financial Analyst and a fellow of the Hong Kong Securities and Investment Institute.

 

From 2004 to 2010, Mr She served as an Independent Non-Executive Director and the Chairman of the Audit Committee of New Island Printing Holdings Limited, a company listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited.

Mark Chung Fong - Non-Executive Director - aged 73

 

Mr Fong was an Executive Director for China development of Grant Thornton International Ltd, a corporation incorporated in England and had retired from Grant Thornton effective from 1 January 2014. He has more than 40 years' experience in the accounting profession. Mr Fong obtained a bachelor's degree in science from the University College, London in August 1972 and a Master's degree in science from the University of Surrey in December 1973. He has been a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales since January 1983 and a Fellow of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants ("HKICPA") since March 1986. He was the President of the HKICPA in 2007. He has been appointed as the Chairman of the Audit Committee of HKICPA from 2016 to January 2019 and has also served on the Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales from 2016 to 2018.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES OF THE DIRECTORS (CONTINUED)                                

 

Martyn Stuart Wells - Non-Executive Director - aged 80

 

Mr Wells was formerly an Executive Director of Citicorp International Limited and has over 30 years' experience in the securities industry. In 1969 he joined Vickers da Costa, international stockbrokers. He was involved in the fund management industry for 20 years and participated in the launch of several country funds investing in the Asian region, serving as a director or as a member of the investment advisory councils of several of those funds. He lived in Hong Kong for almost 28 years and since 2000 has resided in England.

 

Stephen Lister d'Anyers Willis - Non-Executive Director - aged 70

Mr Willis is a financial services professional specialising in Asia and global investing.  He has been involved with Asia for over 35 years firstly with Standard Chartered Bank and subsequently with the Asian specialist stockbroker, Vickers da Costa and a number of other investment banking firms.