EX-99.3 4 d416310dex993.htm EX-99.3 EX-99.3

Exhibit 99.3

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS OF ALVARIUM

Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this section to “Alvarium,” “we,” “us,” and “our,” are intended to mean Alvarium, and its consolidated subsidiaries together with Alvarium’s share of the results of associates and joint ventures. The following discussion analyzes the financial condition and results of operations of Alvarium and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated audited financial statements and the related notes included in this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Amounts and percentages presented throughout our discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations may reflect rounded results in thousands (unless otherwise indicated) and, consequently, totals may not appear to sum.

Our Business

Alvarium’s core business is providing wealth and asset management services to individuals, families, foundations and institutions. We act as trusted advisors to assist clients to protect and grow their assets over the long term. With investment expertise in 14 offices across the globe, our focus is on in-depth research with the aim of being a leading manager selection specialist and advisor, delivering excellence, accountability, and transparency across both traditional and alternative asset classes. We adopt an independent approach to implement bespoke, endowment-style investment programs with a strong focus on strategic asset allocation and portfolio construction, as well as single asset class solutions. We have a deep expertise in private markets and offer access to proprietary co-investments in real estate and innovative growth companies. Alvarium has a presence in Australia, Eurozone countries (France, Italy, and Portugal), Hong Kong, the Isle of Man, Singapore, Switzerland, the United Kingdom (“UK”), and the United States. As of December 31, 2022, our combined assets under management (“AUM”) and assets under advisement (“AUA”) were approximately £22.2 billion. This balance is an increase of £3.4 billion, or 18% from our AUA/AUM balance as of December 31, 2021, which had increased by £2.5 billion, or 16%, during the year ended December 31, 2021. Our AUM increased by 11% during the year ended December 31, 2020.

Alvarium offers what we believe to be industry-leading expertise in four areas: investment advisory, co-investment, family office services and merchant banking advisory. As long-term stewards of client capital and a United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (“UN PRI”) Signatory, we believe that preservation and growth in capital are aligned with being a responsible investor, which, for us, means incorporating sustainable investment criteria in our decision-making process. This includes an evaluation of Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) practices of the managers we invest in and providing our clients options to invest in sustainable and impact strategies.

Investment Advisory

Alvarium provides unbiased and independent wealth management services and investment advice to individuals, families, foundations, institutions and charities. Assets we advise or manage have grown organically, and inorganically—through acquisitions and the establishment of joint ventures with other wealth managers and multi-family offices globally. Alvarium utilizes top-down and bottom-up approaches to sourcing and selecting best-in-class fund managers across private and public markets from around the world in order to create tailored asset allocations, targeting client-specific, risk- adjusted returns focused on the client’s objectives. Our services include investment strategy and implementation, asset allocation, investment manager selection and reporting. These are delivered in the following stages:

 

   

Strategic asset allocation, which represents the mix of asset classes that best deliver a client’s expected return at an appropriate level of risk. Asset allocation can shift over time to incorporate our macro-economic views and inclusion of long-term secular trends, but where any adjustments are in keeping with a client’s risk profile.

 

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Global market research and selection, including our in-depth knowledge of each asset class, is vital in identifying the best investment opportunities from a global perspective.

 

   

Risk management assessment: this involves establishing a clear robust investment process focusing on client objectives, performance and risk management.

 

   

Client implementation uses our analytical approach to continuously optimize client portfolios based on input from our research analysts and portfolio managers to deliver the client’s objectives.

Co-investments

Alvarium provides access to private market direct investments in real estate and other asset classes. We follow a thematic investment strategy, selecting sub-sectors based on in-house industry knowledge of managers and operating partners and long-term analysis of cyclical and geographical trends. In real estate, we currently focus on UK, European, North American and Australasian high and low yield residential, long-income commercial, student housing, senior and mezzanine real estate debt, added-value development and asset rich operational companies (such as those in the hospitality sector). We identify operating partners to execute this strategy in joint venture structures, with demonstrated track records across multiple real estate cycles.

We are also expanding our Co-investment offering to provide access to proprietary investments in what we believe to be growth equity opportunities in the innovation economy, many of which are at the intersection of impact and innovation. These Co-investment opportunities are also offered to clients on an opt-in basis and provide a means for interested clients and investors to more directly access investments in later stage private companies in a range of transforming industry sectors that we believe offer the potential for high growth.

On December 30, 2022, Alvarium RE Limited (“ARE”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Alvarium, entered into an agreement to sell 100% of the equity of Alvarium Home REIT Advisors Ltd (“AHRA”) to a newly formed entity owned by the management of AHRA, for aggregate consideration approximately equal to £24 million. The consideration comprised a promissory note maturing December 31, 2023, subject to extension if mutually agreed upon by the parties thereto. Additionally, ARE received a call option pursuant to which ARE has the right to repurchase AHRA prior to the repayment of the note for a purchase price equal to the loan balance then outstanding thereunder.

The consolidated financial statements and AUM/AUA figures include the accounts of AHRA. Subsidiaries are companies over which Alvarium has the power indirectly and/or directly to control the financial and operating policies so as to obtain benefits. In assessing control for accounting purposes, potential voting rights that are presently exercisable or convertible are taken into account. Although Alvarium does not presently have legal control of AHRA, it has a right to reacquire such legal control through the call option it holds and accordingly AHRA has been deemed to be a subsidiary for accounting purposes.

Merchant Banking

Alvarium’s merchant banking group offers specialist corporate finance advisory and capital solutions and has focused on growth companies across the media, innovation and enabling technology sphere for over 20 years. The team has a proven track record of providing strategic corporate finance advice to families and founders of closely held companies, and raising capital across a wide range of strategies and structures. Alvarium has partnered with a number of what we consider to be leading financial institutions in order to offer our clients and investors a broad range of private equity and venture capital investments across the technology and innovation economy, through funds, direct investment and co-investment opportunities. Specific services include: Merger & Acquisition (“M&A”) services, private placements, public company and IPO advisory services, strategic advisory services, independent board advice and structured finance advisory services.

Family Office Services

Alvarium provides a full range of tailored outsourced family office solutions and administrative services to founders, entrepreneurs and investors, families, their companies and trusts. Our services include: family governance, wealth planning, trust and fiduciary administration, fund administration, chief financial officer services, philanthropy, lifestyle and special projects. We work with our clients’ existing advisors to coordinate legal, accounting and tax advice, operating in partnership with carefully selected third party advisors and professionals to provide a collegiate approach to obtaining the right advice and support for individuals, families and their associated structures.

 

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Revenue Streams

Alvarium generates its revenue from providing diversified services in our four product lines discussed in “Our Business” section above, being: investment advisory, co-investment, merchant banking, and family office services. Each product line has different types of revenues from fees we charge our customers, including the following:

Investment Advisory Fees

Investment management or advisory fees are the primary source of revenue in our investment advisory division. These fees are generally calculated on the basis of a percentage of AUM or assets under advisement (“AUA”) depending on whether the contracts are for discretionary investment management or non-discretionary investment advisory services. There are also a small number of clients that pay fixed annual fees. For those management or advisory fees payable on a percentage of AUM or AUA, fees are generally calculated based on that average daily balance values of clients’ portfolios or on the quarter-end values of AUM or AUA (as applicable). These vary depending upon the level and complexity of client assets and are mostly billed quarterly in arrears.

Some clients in certain jurisdictions may also pay performance fees. These are non-recurring fees that are only payable if the client portfolio in question achieves a certain hurdle rate of return or if the client’s portfolio return exceeds certain benchmarks, in each case, as such are set out in the investment advisory agreements with such clients. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we have generated performance fees in three of the last four years. Performance fees are only recognized when it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the entity, therefore, the revenue recognition is deferred until performance fees are crystallized (after returns on the client’s portfolio exceeded agreed benchmark returns).

Co-investments Fees

Private market co-investments: As sponsor on private market direct and co-investment transactions, we generate income from debt and equity structures relating to specified real estate investments or investments in other alternative asset classes. Private market fees include arrangement, retainer, management, advisory, performance, acquisition, promote and other associated fees as well as interest arbitrage for debt structures. The level of fees generated in each period is linked to activity in the real estate or other relevant markets, which in turn are dependent on various macroeconomic factors.

Arrangement fees are typically 50 to 100 basis points of equity value contributed into transaction. Acquisitions fees are typically payable where there are no agency fees or where there is an off-market transaction sourced by the team. Such acquisition fees are usually in the range of 50 to 100 basis points of the purchase price of the relevant acquisition. The equity structures are long term (5-10 years) close-ended structures with fees normally ranging between 50 and 175 basis points of the equity value committed or drawn. The debt structure terms are generally between 12 and 36 months. The investment adviser, general partners or other entity entitled to fees in respect of each of our Co-investments receives such fees either monthly, quarterly or annually.

We may be entitled to a portion of the performance-related entitlements (such as carried interest or promote fees that may be payable on exit from Co-investment transactions. Carried interest entitlements are not accrued and are only recognized once crystalized on exit. Such revenues are only received if the investor hurdle (i.e. a minimum return to the investor) is reached, and may include a catch-up. Carried interest entitlements are based on a percentage of the investor return above such hurdle and are set on a deal and fund basis. Typically, carried interest entitlements represent 10-20% of the investors’ equity internal rate of return in excess of an 8 to 15% hurdle, with no carried interest entitlement being payable if the hurdle is not met.

Certain existing Co-investment vehicles, joint ventures and affiliates have entered into advisory and/or management agreements whereby we receive a share of base advisory and/or management fees from the inception of such joint venture or affiliate relationship through to the liquidation of the relevant transaction. Where we have established feeder vehicles for clients, there may also be administration and advisory fees associated with those vehicles (these are earned by our trusts and administrative business).

 

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Management of real estate investment funds (public and private): We also generate income in our co-investments division from managing and advising real estate investment funds. Our fees from managing and advising these vehicles are contained in management and advisory contracts relating to the relevant fund and are calculated on a sliding scale of percentages of the net asset value or the market capitalization of the relevant fund, as applicable.

Brokerage Fees are also generated in our co-investments division from acting as placement agent, broker or bookrunner to investment funds, especially listed or publicly traded investment companies (including investment trusts and real estate investment trusts, such as LXi). Such fees are primarily comprised of a commission payable on completion of the capital raise, with the amount of such commission being calculated as a percentage of the proceeds of the capital raise and payable out of those proceeds. Small retainer fees may also be payable in some circumstances. In the case of listed or publicly traded investment companies, revenues are mostly derived from placement commissions payable on an IPO or secondary issuance of stock (e.g., via a large single placement or a placement program). Additionally, there may be commission for smaller share issuances, such as tap issuances.

Merchant Banking Fees

M&A advisory fees account for approximately two-thirds of the total fees generated by Alvarium’s merchant banking division. These are primarily success-based fees that are typically 1% to 2.5% of the financial outcome or target achieved. For capital raising mandates, success fees are typically higher in the 3% to 5% range - in line with market standards. We also generate small retainer fees that are typically retained in the event of abort or deducted against success fees. In addition, we may also generate a project fee for certain M&A mandates related to the duration of such transaction. Due to the transactional nature of our merchant banking division’s services, turnover is non-recurring in nature, however we have several large, longstanding clients, where the relationship spans many years with repeated engagements for services on multiple transactions.

Family Office Services Fees

We generate family office service (“FOS”) fees from our private clients and from the administration of structures introduced by, or created for, our co-investment division. FOS fees comprise initial set up fees, annual responsibility fees and time-based fees. We also recover disbursements at cost and reserve the right to charge a 3% charge to cover office incidentals. The duration of annual income is dependent on the life of underlying structure. The average life cycle of a managed structure is in excess of 10 years. Annual responsibility fees are charged per billing entity as a minimum and are billed annually in advance. We also generate FOS time-based fees arising from accounting, administration, transactional, review/reporting and other non-investment advisory services. We accrue time-based fees on an as-recorded time basis. We may offer a fixed fee in lieu of the time-based component of FOS fees, usually to long standing clients or large referral clients; however, we review actual time spent versus the amount invoiced under such arrangements regularly. Fixed fees may be billed annually in advance, quarterly in advance or very rarely, quarterly in arrears.

Trends Affecting Our Business

Global equity markets declined in performance during the year ended December 31, 2022, as supply chain issues, labor shortages, and inflation concerns increased. Outside of the U.S., the MSCI All Country World ex USA Index decreased 16.1% for the year ended December 31, 2022.The S&P 500 Index had negative returns of 19.4% for the year ended December 31, 2022..

 

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With respect to capital raising mandates, our ability to raise debt finance and interest costs are significant factors that impact our ability to execute placement and capital markets transactions. Successful execution of client mandates historically and excellent market reputation gave us a competitive advantage and resulted in increased business from repeat customers.

Our family office services business division, on the other hand, is less impacted by macroeconomic factors, but rather, by global tax changes. The key success factor for growth in this business division is highly professional execution and fiduciary competency of our relationship managers and advisors.

Overall, we benefit from a diversified business geographic footprint and financial model. Our investment solutions have a stable base of committed capital enabling us to invest in assets with a long-term focus over different points in a market cycle and to take advantage of market volatility. Historically, a large portion of our revenue has been derived from management, advisory and administrative fees, which are generally based on the AUM/AUA percentage value and so are subject to market volatility. We have a diversified range of investment strategies, our portfolios are further diversified across investment strategies, fund vintages, geographies, sectors, and enterprise values. However, our results of operations, like those of most businesses, are affected by a variety of geo-political and macroeconomic factors, including conditions in the global financial markets and the economic, political and trading environments in the countries and markets in which we operate.

In addition to the aforementioned macroeconomic and sector-specific trends, we believe our future performance will be influenced by the following factors:

Our ability to generate strong, stable returns. The stability and strength of our investment performance is a significant factor in investors’ willingness to allocate capital to us. The new capital we are able to raise or manage drives the growth of our fee-paying AUM/AUA and the concomitant management and advisory fees. Our fee-paying AUM/AUA and management and advisory fees have grown significantly since our inception, which we believe is due to our disciplined investment strategies which contribute to the stability of our performance throughout market cycles.

Our successful deployment of capital into attractive investments. The continued growth in our fee-paying AUM/AUA and revenues is dependent on our ability to continue to identify attractive investments and deploy the capital we have raised. We are selective in the opportunities in which we invest and are targeting private and institutional investors with attractive investment dynamics. We believe we will be able to identify attractive investments into the future and execute on those investments in order to position ourselves competitively in the market. However, changes in economic and market conditions, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, discussed further below, may adversely affect our ability to realize value from our investments.

Our ability to maintain our competitive position. There has been a trend amongst alternative investors to consolidate the number of general partners in which they invest, which has driven a disproportionate amount of assets to large managers creating a bifurcation in marketplace. We believe we have several competitive and structural advantages that position us as a preferred partner within this division of the alternative asset management landscape. We expect these advantages enable us to provide unique access to asset classes that are traditionally difficult to access to our investors, and a differentiated value proposition to our partner managers. We believe we have a leading competitive positioning in our target markets that allows us to attract and successfully deploy capital in the future.

Our ability to launch new strategies. We have taken a diligent and deliberate approach to expansion to serve the needs of our ecosystem while delivering what we consider to be an attractive value proposition and strong performance to our investors. We believe we will continue to successfully launch new strategies into the future considering our competitive edge in our target markets.

 

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The extent to which investors favor alternative investments. We believe capital raising efforts will continue to be impacted by certain fundamental asset management trends that include: (i) the increasing importance and market share of alternative investment strategies to investors of all types as investors focus on lower-correlated and higher absolute levels of return; (ii) increasing demand for alternative assets from retail investors; (iii) shifting asset allocation policies of institutional investors; (iv) de-leveraging of the global banking system, bank consolidation and increased regulatory requirements; and (v) increasing barriers to entry and growth. In addition to driving our own ability to attract new capital, those trends will also impact the ability of our funds’ underlying partners to retain and attract new capital, which in turn impacts our investment performance and ability to grow.

Presentation of Financial Information

Alvarium’s financial statements included elsewhere in this Current Report on Form 8-K were prepared in accordance with FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland” (or “UK GAAP”). Alvarium’s historical financial statements were prepared using the historical cost convention method. To facilitate comparability, the pro forma financial information included elsewhere in this Current Report on Form 8-K has been prepared by, among other things, converting Alvarium’s historical financial information into U.S. GAAP, conforming to Tiedemann Advisors’ accounting policies and applying preliminary purchase accounting adjustments based on an allocation of the purchase price to Alvarium’s assets and liabilities. See “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information.” Consequently, Alvarium’s results of operations and consolidated statements of financial positions discussed herein are not comparable to the pro forma financial information and will not be comparable to the combined financial reporting for future periods, which will be calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP and will reflect the accounting acquirer’s accounting policies and a new basis of accounting for Alvarium’s assets and liabilities.

 

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Alvarium’s functional currency is the British pound (“GBP”), and its results of operations reported herein are presented in GBP. Alvarium has historically been exposed to foreign currency exchange risk. See “- Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk—Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk.” Going forward, Alvarium’s results will be reported as part of the combined company’s results of operations and financial condition and will be reported in U.S. dollars, and, as such, will be subject to foreign currency transaction and translation risk.

Managing Business Performance and Key Financial Measures

Non-UK GAAP Financial Measures

In this Current Report on Form 8-K, we use Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EBITDA as non-UK GAAP financial measures. Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EBITDA are derived from and reconciled to, but not equivalent to, its most directly comparable UK GAAP measure of loss for the financial year.

Both Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EBITDA are used to track Alvarium’s performance. We define Adjusted Net Income as Adjusted Net Income before taxes less Adjusted Income Tax Expense. We define Adjusted Net Income before taxes as our profit (loss) before taxes for the period plus (a) equity settled share-based payments, less (b) COVID-19 subsidies, plus (c) one-time bonuses and plus (d) other one-time fees and charges. We define Adjusted EBITDA as Adjusted Net Income, plus (i) joint ventures – group share of Adjusted EBITDA plus (ii) associates – group share of Adjusted EBITDA (iii) interest expense, net (iv) income tax (benefit)/expense and (v) depreciation and amortization expense. These are non-UK GAAP financial measure supplements and should be considered in addition to and not in lieu of, the results of operations, which are discussed further under “—Components of Consolidated Results of Operations” and are prepared in accordance with UK GAAP. For the specific components and calculations of these non-UK GAAP measures, as well as a reconciliation of these measures to the most comparable measure in accordance with UK GAAP, see “Reconciliation of Consolidated UK GAAP Financial Measures to Certain Non-UK GAAP Measures”.

Operating Metrics

We monitor certain operating metrics that are common to the asset management industry, which are discussed below.

Assets Under Management (AUM) or Advisement (AUA)

AUM/ AUA refer to the assets we manage or advise. We view AUM/AUA as a metric to measure our investment and capital raising performance as it reflects assets generally at market value. AUM/AUA is determined based on the market values of investments. Our AUM/AUA equals the sum of the following:

 

   

total client asset value;

 

   

undrawn debt (at the portfolio-level including certain amounts subject to restrictions); and

 

   

uncalled committed capital (including commitments to client access vehicles that have yet to commence their investment periods).

Our calculations of AUM/AUA and fee-earning AUM/AUA may differ from the calculation methodologies of other asset managers and, as a result, this measure may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other asset managers.

Assets under advisement for our family office services division do not relate to billing. Billing is connected to structures and the annual, fixed and time-based fees applicable thereto.

 

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The tables below present rollforwards of our total AUM/AUA by business division:

 

(£ amounts in millions)   

Investment Advisory

    Family Office     Co-     Total  
   Billable     Non-billable*     Total IA     Services     investment**     AUA/AUM  

AUM/AUA as of December 31, 2021

   £ 7,699     £ 377     £ 8,076     £ 1,829     £ 8,864     £ 18,769  

Net change

   £ (428   £ 124     £ (304   £ 864     £ 2,830     £ 3,390  

AUM/AUA as of December 31, 2022

   £ 7,271     £ 501     £ 7,772     £ 2,693     £ 11,694     £ 22,159  

Average AUM/AUA

   £ 7,485     £ 439     £ 7,924     £ 2,261     £ 10,279     £ 20,464  

Year-over-year growth (%)

     -6     33     -4     47     32     18

 

     Investment Advisory     Family           Total  
(£ amounts in millions)    Billable     Non-billable*     Total IA     Office Services     Co-investment**     AUA/AUM  

AUM/AUA as of December 31, 2020

   £ 6,327     £ 311     £ 6,638     £ 1,710     £ 7,898     £ 16,246  

Net change

   £ 1,372     £ 66     £ 1,438     £ 119     £ 966     £ 2,523  

AUM/AUA as of December 31, 2021

   £ 7,699     £ 377     £ 8,076     £ 1,829     £ 8,864     £ 18,769  

Average AUM/AUA

   £ 7,013     £ 344     £ 7,357     £ 1,770     £ 8,381     £ 17,508  

Year-over-year growth (%)

     22     21     22     7     12     16

 

*

Non-billable assets are exempt of fees, and consist of assets such as cash and cash equivalents, real estate, non-fee paying investment consulting assets, and other designated assets.

**

AUM/AUA is reported with a one-month lag for Home and a one quarter lag for HLIF as management fees are billed on those bases.

For the year ended December 31, 2022, AUM/AUA increased by 18%. Family Office Services increases of 47%, or £864 million, and increases in Co-Investment AUM/AUA of 32% or £2,830 million, were partially offset by decreases in Billable Investment Advisory AUM/AUA of (6%) from £7,699 million to £7,271 million. The decrease in Billable Investment Advisory AUM/AUA was driven primarily due to declines of asset values as a result of the overall challenging period in global financial markets.

For the year ended December 31, 2021, AUM/AUA grew 16%, or £2,523 million, which was primarily driven by the growth of our investment advisory practice by 22%. AUM/AUA growth in 2021 was driven by a mix of new assets, as well as the impact of market and foreign exchange impacts. For the year ended December 31, 2020, AUM/AUA grew 11%, or £1,574 million, which was primarily driven by the growth of our co-investment and family office services divisions by £858 million, or 12%, and £375 million, or 28%, respectively.

Components of Consolidated Results of Operations

Revenues

Alvarium generates its revenue from providing investment advisory, co-investment, merchant banking, and family office services.

Investment Advisory

Alvarium offers comprehensive investment advisory services, including investment strategy and implementation, asset allocation, investment manager selection and consolidated reporting. Alvarium provides such advisory services on both a discretionary and a non-discretionary basis. For services provided to each client account, Alvarium charges management and / or performance fees based on the market value of AUM/AUA of that account. Management or advisory fees are charged either: (i) quarterly in arrears, calculated using the average of the daily market values during the subject quarter for such account; (ii) quarterly in advance, based upon the market value at the beginning of the quarter; or (iii) in some cases, on a flat fixed fee basis. For those assets for which valuations are not available on a daily basis, the most recent valuation provided to Alvarium is used as the market value for the purpose of calculating the quarterly fee. Performance fees are recognized once per year in the event that the customer’s account experiences an appreciation during the year above a pre-agreed threshold.

 

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Co-investments

Alvarium provides access to private market direct investments in real estate and private equity directly and through joint ventures with alternative asset managers and operating partners. Alvarium receives advisory and management fees and carried interest directly or via the joint venture arrangements. Alvarium is entitled to a portion of performance-related fees (e.g., carried interest or promote fees) that may be payable from certain transactions. Additionally, fees from managing and advising real estate funds are calculated on a sliding scale of percentages of the net asset value or the market capitalization of the relevant funds.

Merchant Banking

Alvarium’s merchant banking division is a corporate advisory practice providing clients with strategic advice around their operational businesses or holding companies, as well as specializing in providing services to customers in media, consumer and technology sectors. Specific services include: M&A services, private placements, public company and IPO advisory services, strategic advisory services, independent board advice and structured finance advisory services. Similar to investment advisory revenue streams, fees are either recognized on a quarterly basis based upon fees agreed with the client or at the point of legal entitlement to the income.

Family Office Services

Alvarium provides tailored outsourced family office solutions and administrative services to families, trusts, foundations and institutions. Services include: family governance and transition, wealth and asset strategy, trust and fiduciary services, philanthropy, lifestyle and special projects.

Revenue represents amounts receivable and services and trade discounts. Invoicing is completed annually in advance for annual fees and fixed fees or monthly in arrears for time spent billing, with any resulting accrued income included in debtors at year end. Revenue from the rendering of services is measured by reference to the stage of completion of the service transaction at the end of the reporting period, provided that the outcome can be reliably estimated.

Expenses

Cost of sales primarily consists of staff costs, directors’ remuneration and consultancy fees.

Operating expenses net of other operating income include costs primarily related to professional services, occupancy, travel, communication and information services, depreciation and amortization, distribution costs, and other general operating items.

Other income / (expenses), net consists of share of profit/(loss) of associates, share of profit/(loss) of joint ventures, income from other fixed asset investments as well as loss on impairment of investments.

Interest expense, net, consists of the interest expense on bank loans and overdrafts, interest on obligations under finance leases and hire purchase contracts, interest on deferred acquisition payments and interest from shareholder loans, as well as other interest payable and similar charges. Interest income consists of interest on loans issued and other receivables.

Income tax expense / (benefit) consists of the aggregate amount of current and deferred tax recognized in the reporting period. Current tax is recognized on taxable profits for the current and past periods. Current tax is measured as the amounts of tax expected to pay or recover using the tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date. Deferred tax is recognized in respect of all timing differences at the reporting date. Unrelieved tax losses and other deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits. Deferred tax is measured using tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date that are expected to apply at the reversal of the timing difference.

 

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Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests represents the ownership interests that third parties hold in Alvarium entities that are consolidated into our Consolidated Financial Statements based on their ownership interests in such Alvarium entities.

Results of Operations

Consolidated Results of Operations – The Year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the Year ended December 31, 2021

The following table presents the results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021:

 

     Year ended December 31,      Favorable (Unfavorable)
£‘000    2022      2021      Change, £      Change, %

Turnover

   £ 81,625        75,164        6,461      9%

Cost of sales

     (91,525      (50,416      (41,109    (82%)
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Gross profit

     (9,900      24,748        (34,648    (140%)

Operating expenses

     (38,880      (26,159      (12,721    (49%)
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Operating income / (loss)

     (48,780      (1,411      (47,369    N/M

Other income / (expenses), net

     3,256        4,430        (1,174    (27%)

Interest expense, net

     (5,763      (1,608      (4,155    (259%)
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Income / (loss) before taxation

     (51,287      1,411        (52,698    N/M

Income tax benefit (expense)

     4,770        537        4,233      N/M
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Income / (loss) for the financial period

     (46,517      1,948        (48,465    N/M
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Income / (loss) for the financial period attributable to:

           

The owners of the parent company

     (46,508      1,126        (47,634    N/M

Non-controlling interest

     (9      822        (831    N/M
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    
     (46,517      1,948        (48,465    N/M
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

N/M – Not meaningful

Turnover

The year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021:

 

     Year ended December 31,      Favorable (Unfavorable)
     2022      2021      Change, £      Change, %

Investment advisory

   £ 26,465      £ 27,078      £ (613    (2%)

Co-investment

     38,653        27,825        10,828      39%

Merchant banking

     6,981        12,383        (5,402    (44%)

Family office services

     9,526        7,878        1,648      21%
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

Total Turnover

   £ 81,625      £ 75,164      £ 6,461      9%
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

10


Investment advisory services revenue decreased by £0.6 million, or 2%, for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in management and advisory fees for clients, which are calculated as a percentage of AUM/AUA, and reflect the challenging environment during the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021. Average billable AUM/AUA related to investment advisory activities was approximately 7% higher during the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021.

Co-investment services revenue increased by £10.8 million, or 39%, for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase in co-investment services revenue was driven primarily through increased fees linked to capital raising. Fees from public markets activities increased to £ 27.0 million from £20.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. The increase in public markets activity was driven by increase in management fees earned from increased market capitalization of LXi REIT PLC. Revenues from private market activities increased to £11.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 from £7.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2021. This increase was driven primarily by £2.6 million exit fee earned from a certain real estate investment and increase in overall Co-investment business activity.

Merchant banking services revenue decreased by £5.4 million, or 44%, for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021. Merchant banking fees are generally success-based, and therefore financial performance reflects the prevailing market economic conditions which had deteriorated for the year ended December 31, 2022 relative to the year ended December 31, 2021.

Family office services revenue increased by £1.6 million, or 21%, for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase is in relation to new investment management fees for Alvarium Fund Managers (UK) Limited. Fees under family office services revenues are based on hourly staff charge out rates or fixed fee arrangements, and are not driven by changes in AUM.

Expenses

The Year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the Year ended December 31, 2021

Cost of sales increased by £41.1 million, or (82%), for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily due to increased headcount and staff related costs, including an exceptional one-time LTIP payout of £30.9 million. Commissions paid under external revenue share agreements also increased by £5.1 million due an increase in amounts owed under revenue-sharing arrangements with third parties from real estate carry exits during the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to minimal activity during the year ended December 31, 2021.

Operating expenses, net of other operating income increased by £12.7 million, or (49%), for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, due primarily to an increase of legal and other professional fees of £5.1 million, driven in part by the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement as well as other business activity, increases in corporate travel of £1.1 million, and irrecoverable VAT/Taxes of £0.5 million. Additionally, operating expenses increased by £3.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 due to higher amortization expense, including of the intangible asset recognized upon acquisition of Prestbury Investment Partners Limited.

Other income, net decreased by £1.2 million, or (27%, for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, largely due to an increase in profits from JV of £1.4m, arising primarily as a result of a gain recognized on disposal of joint venture investment Alvarium NZ of £4.6 million. This was offset by an increase in the amounts written off investments £(1.2), an overall decrease in profits from associates (£0.7) million and a decrease in income from other fixed asset investments £(0.5) million, during the year ended December 31, 2022.

Interest expense, net of interest income increased by £4.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily due to interest accrued on the loan used to finance the acquisition of Prestbury Investment Partners Limited.

 

11


Income tax benefit of £3.8 million was recognized for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to an income tax benefit of £0.5 million recognized during the year ended December 31, 2021. The benefit of £0.5 million arising in 2021 was primarily due to the full recognition of deferred tax assets in the UK by Alvarium Investments Limited. Specifically, the increased stake in LXi REIT Advisors Limited acquired during 2021, as well as improved results of Alvarium Investment Advisors in the United States, allowed for full recognition and utilization of the deferred tax assets.

The effective rate for the year ended December 31, 2022 of 11.7% has increased by 10.7% due to non-deductible expenses related to the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement, as referenced in the operating expense comments above, and non-deductible goodwill of £633 thousand. These amounts are offset by benefits due to non-taxable income arising on the disposal shares in the New Zealand based property companies in Q3 2022. This transaction qualified for the substantial shareholding exemption (SSE) and the revaluation of the UK corporate tax losses to reflect the increase in the enacted tax rate to 25% which takes effect from April 1 2023.

Profit attributable to non-controlling interests decreased by £(0.9) million for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, due to a reduction in non-controlling interests held outside the group in both LXi REIT Advisors Limited and Alvarium Social Housing Advisors Limited, which became wholly owned.

Consolidated Results of Operations – The Year Ended December 31, 2021 compared to the Year ended December 31, 2020

The following table presents the results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:

 

     Year ended December 31,      Favorable (Unfavorable)  
£‘000    2021      2020      Change, £      Change, %  

Turnover

   £ 75,164        52,263        22,901        44

Cost of sales

     (50,416      (40,032      (10,384      (26 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Gross profit

     24,748        12,231        12,517        102

Operating expenses net of other operating income

     (26,159      (17,528      (8,631      (49 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Operating income / (loss)

     (1,411      (5,297      3,886        73

Other income / (expenses), net

     4,430        2,086        2,344        112

Interest expense, net

     (1,608      (481      (1,127      (234 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Income / (loss) before taxation

     1,411        (3,692      5,103        138

Income tax expense / (benefit)

     (537      315        222        70
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Income / (loss) for the financial period

     1,948        (3,377      5,325        158
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Income / (loss) for the financial period attributable to:

           

The owners of the parent company

     1,126        (4,845      5,971        123

Non-controlling interest

     822        1,468        (646      (44 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    
     1,948        (3,377      5,325        158
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

N/M – Not meaningful

 

12


Turnover

The Year Ended December 31, 2021 compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2020:

 

     Year ended December 31,      Favorable (Unfavorable)  
£‘000    2021      2020      Change, £      Change, %  

Investment advisory

   £ 27,078      £ 22,464      £ 4,614        21

Co-investment

     27,825        16,739        11,086        66

Merchant banking

     12,383        5,224        7,159        137

Family office services

     7,878        7,836        42        1
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total Turnover

   £ 75,164      £ 52,263      £ 22,901        44
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Investment advisory services revenue increased by £4.6 million, or 21%, for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase was primarily due to growth of management and advisory fees (which are calculated as a percentage of AUM/AUA) and performance fees. Investment advisory services revenue grew approximately in line with the divisional AUM growth of 22%. Additionally, performance fees grew to £2.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 from £1.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Co-investment services revenue increased by £11.1 million, or 66%, for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase in co-investment services revenue was driven primarily through increased fees linked to capital raising. Specifically, increased fees were tied to growth in Alvarium Securities Limited, which increased £5.4 million year-over-year, from £3.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 to £9.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. Additionally, the increases in market capitalization of Home REIT PLC and LXi REIT PLC resulted in year-over-year fee increases of £2.4 million and £1.9 million, respectively.

Merchant banking services revenue increased by £7.2 million, or 137%, for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. Because merchant banking fees are generally success- based, revenue during the first three quarters of the year ended December 31, 2020 was significantly affected by material market uncertainty from the COVID-19 pandemic that led to reduced merchant banking activity. Since Q4 2020, in line with improved market sentiment, there has been a significant increase in revenue from M&A advisory services including in early 2021, the formal closing after receiving necessary regulatory clearances, of a transaction announced in 2020. In addition, merchant banking services revenue increased due to the increased volume of equity and debt securities placed, benefitting from the general positive market activity in 2021 compared to 2020.

Family office services revenue for the year ended December 31, 2021 remained essentially flat with the revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020. Fees under family office services revenues are based on hourly staff charge out rates or fixed fee arrangements, and are not driven by changes in AUM.

Expenses

The Year Ended December 31, 2021 compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2020

Cost of sales increased by £10.4 million or 26% for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily due to staff bonus provisions and remuneration linked to revenue in the investment advisory and merchant banking divisions, which increased during the year ended December 31, 2021.

Operating expenses net of other operating income increased by £8.6 million or 49% for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020, due primarily to an increase of legal and other professional fees of £7.5 million driven in part by the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement as well as other business activity, and a decrease in other operating income by £0.9 million, which was offset by a decrease of £0.2 million in travel expenses resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other income / (expenses), net increased by £2.3 million or 112% for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily due to an increase of the share of profits of joint ventures by £1 million, an increase in share of profits of associates by £1 million, and an increase in income from other fixed asset investments of £0.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2021.

 

13


Interest expense, net of interest income increased by £1.1 million or 234% for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily due to newly issued subordinated shareholder loans of £8.65 million the proceeds of which were used to acquire a 2.4% increased stake in LXi REIT Advisors Limited in January 2021, which resulted in a £0.9 million increase in interest expense.

Income tax benefit increased by £0.2 million or 70% for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily due to the recognition of deferred tax assets in the UK by Alvarium Investments Limited. Specifically, the increased stake in LXi REIT Advisors Limited, as well as improved results of Alvarium Investment Advisors in the United States, allowed for full recognition and utilization of the deferred tax assets.

Profit attributable to non-controlling interests decreased by £0.7 million or 44% for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020, due to the acquisition of 100% of ownership stakes in both LXi REIT Advisors Limited and Alvarium Social Housing Advisors Limited during the year ended December 31, 2021.

Reconciliation of Consolidated UK GAAP Financial Measures to Certain Non-UK GAAP Measures

We use Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EBITDA as non-UK GAAP measures to assess and track our performance. Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EBITDA as presented in this Current Report on Form 8-K are supplemental measures of our performance that are not required by, or presented in accordance with, UK GAAP. For more information, see “Presentation of Financial Information.” The following table presents the reconciliation of income for the financial period as reported in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income to Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EBITDA:

 

     For the year ended December 31,  
£‘000    2022      2021  

Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EBITDA

     

Profit/(Loss) for the financial period before taxes

     (51,287      1,411  

Equity settled share-based payments (a)

     —          1  

Other one-time fees and charges (b)

     9,036        6,471  

Fair value adjustments to strategic investments (c)

     1,027        54  

Long term incentive plan expenses (d)

     30,898        —    

Legal settlement (e)

     5,873        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted income before taxes

     (4,453      7,937  

Adjusted income tax benefit

     846        526  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted Net Income

     (3,607      8,463  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Joint ventures—Group share of Adjusted EBITDA (i)

     2,185        3,003  

Associates—Group share of Adjusted EBITDA (ii)

     149        116  

Interest expense, net

     5,763        1,608  

Income tax expense (benefit)

     (4,770      (537

Adjusted income tax expense less income tax benefit

     3,924        11  

Depreciation and amortization

     9,323        6,276  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

     12,967        18,940  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

14


(i)

Joint venture—Adjusted EBITDA reconciliation

 

     For the Year ended December 31,  
£‘000    2022      2021  

Share of profit of joint ventures*

     (264      2,898  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjustments:

     —          —    

Share of interest

     478        429  

Share of taxation

     724        1,170  

Share of amortization / depreciation

     341        762  

Amortization on consolidation

     642        642  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total EBITDA Adjustments

     2,185        3,003  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Group share of reported EBITDA

     1,921        5,901  

 

15


(ii)

Associates – Adjusted EBITDA reconciliation

 

     For the Year ended December 31,  
£‘000    2022      2021  

Share of profit of associates*

     760        1,411  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjustments:

     —          —    

Share of interest

     1        —    

Share of Taxation

     64        38  

Share of amortization / depreciation

     11        10  

Amortization on consolidation

     73        68  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total EBITDA Adjustments

     149        116  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Group share of reported EBITDA

     909        1,527  

 

*

Share of profit of associates and of joint ventures was not included in the reconciliation, since these amounts were already part of “Loss for the financial year attributable to the owners of the parent company”.

 

  a)

Represents non-cash equity-based compensation of Alvarium to its employees.

 

  b)

Represents other one-time fees and charges that management believes are not representative of the operating performance, which includes professional fees related to this Transaction. One-time fees and charges incurred are included in administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.

 

  c)

Represents adjustment for unrealized (gains)/losses on Alvarium’s investments.

 

  d)

Represents adjustment for one-time payments made under long term incentive plan (LTIP).

 

  e)

Represents adjustment for separation agreement expense recorded during the year ended December 31, 2022.

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,  
£‘000    2021      2020  

Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EBITDA

     

Profit (Loss) for the financial period before taxes

   £ 1,411      £ (3,693

Equity settled share-based payments (a)

     1        7  

COVID-19 Subsidies (b)

     —          (760

Other one-time fees and charges (c)

     6,471        141  

Fair value adjustments to strategic investments (d)

     54        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted income before taxes

     7,937        (4,305

Adjusted income tax benefit

     526        458  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted Net Income

     8,463        (3,847
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Joint ventures—Group share of Adjusted EBITDA (i)

     3,003        2,022  

Associates—Group share of Adjusted EBITDA (ii)

     116        124  

Interest expense, net

     1,608        481  

Income tax benefit

     (537      (315

Adjusted income tax expense less income tax benefit

     11        (143

Depreciation and amortization

     6,276        6,357  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

   £ 18,940      £ 4,679  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

16


(i)

Joint venture—Adjusted EBITDA reconciliation

 

     Year ended December 31,  
£‘000    2021      2020  

Share of profit of joint ventures*

     2,898        1,925  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjustments:

     

Share of interest

     429        364  

Share of taxation

     1,170        738  

Share of amortization / depreciation

     762        278  

Amortization on consolidation

     642        642  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Adjustments

     3,003        2,022  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Group share of Adjusted EBITDA

     5,901        3,947  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

17


(ii)

Associates – Adjusted EBITDA reconciliation

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
£‘000    2021      2020  

Share of profit of associates*

     1,411        459  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjustments:

     

Share of interest

     —          —    

Share of taxation

     38        37  

Share of amortization / depreciation

     10        13  

Amortization on consolidation

     68        74  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Adjustments

     116        124  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Group share of Adjusted EBITDA

     1,527        583  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

*

Share of profit of associates and of joint ventures was not included in the reconciliation, since these amounts were already part of “Loss for the financial year attributable to the owners of the parent company”.

 

  a)

Represents non-cash equity-based compensation of Alvarium to its employees.

 

  b)

Represents COVID-19 subsidies received from the governments of Hong Kong, Singapore, the UK and the United States.

 

  c)

Represents other one-time fees and charges that management believes are not representative of the operating performance, which includes professional fees related to this Transaction.

 

  d)

Represents adjustment for unrealized (gains)/losses on Alvarium’s investments. One-time fees and charges incurred are included in administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Management assesses liquidity in terms of our ability to generate cash to fund operating, investing and financing activities. Management believes that our liquidity will continue to be sufficient for Alvarium’s foreseeable working capital needs, contractual obligations, distribution payments and strategic initiatives.

Sources and Uses of Liquidity

Our primary sources of liquidity are: (1) cash on hand; (2) cash from operations, including investment advisory fees, which are generally collected quarterly; and (3) net borrowing from our credit facilities. As of December 31, 2022, our cash and cash equivalents were £7.2 million, we had £50.3 million of debt outstanding inclusive of the £40.0 million outstanding under a subordinated shareholder loan, and availability under our credit facilities of £2.5 million. The outstanding debt balances as of December 31, 2022, were settled upon completion of the Business Combination. Our ability to draw from the credit facilities is subject to minimum management fee and other covenants. We believe that these sources of liquidity will be sufficient to fund our working capital requirements and to meet our commitments in the ordinary course of business and under the current market conditions for the foreseeable future. Market conditions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic may impact our liquidity. Cash flows from management fees may be impacted by a slowdown or declines in deployment, declines, or write downs in valuations, or a slowdown or negatively impacted fundraising. Declines or delays in transaction activity may impact our product distributions and net realized performance income which could adversely impact our cash flows and liquidity. Market conditions may make it difficult to extend the maturity of, or refinance, our existing indebtedness or obtain new indebtedness with similar terms.

We expect that our primary liquidity needs will continue to be to: (1) provide capital to facilitate the growth of our existing alternative asset and wealth management businesses; (2) provide capital to facilitate our expansion into businesses that are complementary to our existing investment management and advisory businesses as well as other strategic growth initiatives; (3) pay operating expenses, including cash compensation to our employees; (4) fund capital expenditures; (5) service our debt; (6) pay income taxes; and (7) make dividend payments to our shareholders in accordance with our distribution policy.

 

18


In the normal course of business, we expect to pay distributions that are aligned with the expected changes in our fee related earnings. If cash flow from operations were insufficient to fund distributions over a sustained period of time, we expect that we would suspend or reduce paying such distributions. In addition, there is no assurance that distributions would continue at the current levels or at all.

Our ability to obtain debt financing provides us with additional sources of liquidity. For further discussion of financing transactions occurring in the current period and our debt obligations, see “Cash Flows” within this section, “Note 16. Debtors” and “Note 18. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year” to our consolidated financial statements included in this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Cash Flows

The Year ended December 31, 2022 Compared to the Year ended December 31, 2021

 

     Year Ended December 31,      Favorable (Unfavorable)  
£‘000    2022      2021      Change, £      Change, %  

Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities

   £ (3,868    £ 14,452      £ (18,320      N/M  

Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities

     3,591        (9,747    £ 13,338        N/M  

Net cash used in financing activities

     (6,008      (39    £ (5,969      N/M  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

   £ (6,285    £ 4,666      £ (10,951      N/M  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

N/M – Not meaningful

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by £(18.3) million, from £14.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 to £(3.9) million for the year ended December 31, 2022. This change was driven by a significant decrease in operating results due to higher personnel costs and an increase in administrative costs of £10.1 million.

Investing Activities

Net cash from investing activities was £3.6 million and net cash used from investing activities was £(9.8) million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The increase of £13.4 million was primarily driven from the sale of interests in associates and joint ventures resulting in proceeds of £4.7 million, cash receipts from the repayment of advances and loans totaling £1.5 million. Additionally, there was a decrease in cash payments used for transactions with equity holders during the year ended December 31, 2022 resulting in a year-over-year change of £6.3 million.

Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities was £(6.0) million and £(0.1) million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The decrease of £(6.0) million was primarily driven by the interest paid on a subordinated shareholder loans in connection with the acquisition of management rights from Prestbury Investment Partners Limited.

 

19


Cash Flows

The Year Ended December 31, 2021 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2020

 

     Year ended December 31,      Favorable (Unfavorable)  
£‘000    2021      2020      Change, £      Change, %  

Net cash provided by operating activities

   £ 14,452      £ 3,330      £ 11,122        N/M  

Net cash used in investing activities

     (9,747      (2,502      (7,245      (290 %) 

Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities

     (39      423        (462      (109 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

   £ 4,666      £ 1,251      £ 3,415        273
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

N/M – Not meaningful

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities increased £11.2 million, from £3.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 to £14.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. This change was driven by improved financial performance in both the Merchant Banking and Co-Investment divisions as noted in the turnover section and an £11.1 million increase attributable to changes in trade and other creditors balances, from £4.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2020 to £15.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2021.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities was £(9.8) million and £(2.5) million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The change of £(7.3) million was primarily driven by additional cash outflows of £(6.3) million related to the acquisitions of further shares in LXi REIT Advisors Limited and Alvarium Social Housing Advisors Limited and a £(0.9) million increase in cash advances and loans granted.

Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities was £(0.1) million for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to net cash provided by financing activities of £0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The change of £(0.5) million was primarily driven by an increase of £(0.3) million in cash used to pay interest and an increase £(0.4) of cash used to pay dividends during the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020

 

20


Commitments and Contingencies

In the normal course of business, we may engage in off-balance sheet arrangements, including transactions in derivatives, guarantees, commitments, indemnifications, transaction bridging and potential contingent repayment obligations. We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that would require us to fund losses or guarantee target returns to investors.

Litigation

From time-to-time we may be involved in various legal proceedings, lawsuits and claims incidental to the conduct of our business, some of which may be material. Our businesses are also subject to extensive regulation, which may result in regulatory proceedings against us.

Alvarium’s subsidiary, LJ Management (IOM) Limited, is a co-respondent with others in a claim being brought by Ballacorey Wheat Limited and GEM Global Yield Fund Limited. LJ Management (IOM) Limited denies any liability and is defending the claim. However, if the claim succeeds, the liability (including costs) is materially covered by insurance. Please see additional information in the sections “Business of Alvarium Tiedemann” and “Historical Business of Alvarium” included in this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Home REIT plc (“Home REIT”) is a real estate investment trust company listed on the London Stock Exchange. Alvarium Fund Managers (UK) Limited (“AFM UK”) is its alternative investment fund manager (or “AIFM”) and AHRA is its investment adviser. AFM UK is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. AHRA was owned by ARE, another member of the Group, up until 30 December 2022, when it was sold. As such, AHRA was not acquired by Cartesian Growth Corporation (“Cartesian”) pursuant to the business combination between the Company, Cartesian and certain Tiedemann entities which completed on 3 January 2023 and formed Alvarium Tiedemann Holdings, Inc. (“AlTi”). Accordingly, AHRA has never been a member of AlTi’s group (the “AlTi Group”). Notwithstanding the disposal of AHRA, Alvarium RE retained an option to reacquire AHRA and, consequently, AHRA has been included in the Group’s consolidated financial statements for the financial year ending 31 December 2022 in accordance with applicable accounting requirements.

Since November 2022, Home REIT and AHRA have been the subject of allegations regarding Home REIT’s operations, stemming from a report issued by a short seller. Following the publication of the short seller report, a UK law firm (Harcus Parker Limited) announced that it was seeking current and former shareholders of Home REIT to potentially bring claims in connection with the allegations. Harcus Parker’s announcement states that claims will likely be brought against Home REIT itself, its directors, and AFM UK. Notwithstanding the Harcus Parker publication, as at the date of authorising these financial statements, no formal letter before action has been issued and no litigation has been commenced against Home REIT or AFM UK and we do not currently have visibility on the likelihood of litigation being commenced. Further, given the above, it is not possible at this point in time for us to reliably assess the quantum of any claims that may potentially be brought, though such quantum may potentially be material to the Group. If any litigation is commenced against AFM UK, we would anticipate that it may involve complex questions of law and fact and we may incur significant legal expenses in defending such litigation.

AlTi Group maintains insurance policies which are intended to provide coverage for various claims against members of group, subject to the terms and conditions of the relevant policy. Such policies include, among other things, indemnification for legal expenses. AlTi Group also has access to credit facilities to support the business, if required. These arrangements support the Company’s directors’ assessment of going concern and of its ability to address any potential financial impact arising from the above.

Related Party Transactions

Alvarium entered into the following transactions with related parties:

Loans receivable and Loans payable

Shareholder loans were granted to certain related parties with outstanding balances (including interest receivables) of £5.2 million and £5.8 million as of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 respectively. Also, Alvarium issued cash advances to other holding companies with an outstanding balance of £0.6 million and £0.6 million as of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.

Alvarium received loans from certain related parties with the balance of £0.2 million and £0.2 million as of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 respectively.

Alvarium charged interest income on loans issued to certain related parties. As a result of these transactions, Alvarium recognized £0.2 million and £0.2 million of income for the year ended December 31, 2022 and year ended December 31, 2021 respectively.

Alvarium received subordinated loans from certain shareholders equal to £40 million to finance the acquisition of management rights from Prestbury Investment Partners Limited. Principal on the subordinated shareholder loans plus accrued and unpaid interest will become due and payable in 2023.

Advisory and Management services

Alvarium provided advisory and management services and charged interest income on loans issued to certain related parties. As a result of these transactions, Alvarium recognized £0.2 million and £0.2 million of income for the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

For further discussion of related party transaction see “Note 30. Related party transaction” to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included in this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

We prepare our consolidated financial statements in compliance with UK GAAP. In applying many of these accounting principles, we need to make assumptions, estimates and/or judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses in our consolidated financial statements. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. These assumptions, estimates and/or judgments, however, are both subjective and subject to change, and actual results may differ from our assumptions and estimates. Actual results may also differ from our estimates and judgments due to risks and uncertainties and changing circumstances. If actual amounts are ultimately different from our estimates, the revisions are included in our results of operations for the period in which the actual amounts become known. For a summary of our significant accounting policies, see “Note 3. Accounting Policies”, to our consolidated financial statements included in this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Business Combinations

The accounting for the business combination was performed in accordance with Section 19 Business Combinations and Goodwill of UK GAAP. This guidance requires the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize the fair value of all assets acquired, liabilities assumed and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree, and establishes the acquisition date as the fair value measurement point. Accordingly, we recognize assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations, including contingent assets and liabilities and non-controlling interests in the acquiree, based on fair value estimates as of the date of acquisition. Goodwill remains the difference between the fair value of the consideration and the assets and liabilities acquired. Goodwill is always considered to have a finite useful life and is amortized over the useful life. If the expected useful life cannot be reliably measured, the useful life shall not exceed 10 years.

Discounted cash flow models are typically used in these valuations if quoted market prices are not available, and the models require the use of significant estimates and assumptions including, but not limited to:

(1) estimating future revenue, expenses and cash flows expected to be collected; and (2) developing appropriate discount rates, long-term growth rates, customer duration and portfolio attrition rates. Our estimates of fair value are based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable, but we recognize that the assumptions are inherently uncertain. Please refer to Note 20, “Deferred consideration payable on acquisition”, within the historical consolidated financial statements included in this Current Report on Form 8-K, for more information on past acquisitions and the determination of fair value.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue in accordance with Section 23 Revenue of UK GAAP. Section 23 Revenue provides recognition criteria for: (i) the sale of goods; (ii) rendering of services; (iii) construction contracts in which the entity is the contractor; and; (iv) interest, royalties and dividends. Section 23 Revenue requires that revenue for the rendering of services is recognized when the outcome of a transaction can be estimated reliably and that an entity shall recognize revenue associated with a transaction by reference to the stage of completion of the transaction at the end of the reporting period. The outcome of a transaction can be estimated reliably when all the following conditions are met: (a) the amount of revenue can be measured reliably; (b) it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the entity; (c) the stage of completion of the transaction at the end of the reporting period can be measured reliably; and (d) the costs incurred for the transaction and the costs to complete the transaction can be measured reliably.

Alvarium is following Section 23 Revenue recognition guidance for interest income and dividends. Interest income is recognized using the effective interest rate method. Dividend income is recognized when the right to receive payment is established.

AHRA Continued Consolidation

On December 30, 2022, ARE, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Alvarium, entered into an agreement to sell 100% of the equity of AHRA to a newly formed entity owned by the management of AHRA, for aggregate consideration approximately equity to £24 million. The consideration comprised a 0% promissory note maturing December 31, 2023, subject to extension if mutually agreed upon by the parties thereto.

Additionally, ARE received a call option pursuant to which ARE has the right to repurchase AHRA prior to the repayment of the note for a purchase price equal to the loan balance then outstanding thereunder.

The consolidated financial statements and AUM/AUA figures include the accounts of AHRA. Subsidiaries are companies over which Alvarium has the power indirectly and/or directly to control the financial and operating policies so as to obtain benefits. In assessing control for accounting purposes, potential voting rights that are presently exercisable or convertible are taken into account. Although Alvarium does not presently have legal control of AHRA, it has a right to reacquire such legal control through the call option it holds and accordingly AHRA has been deemed to be a subsidiary for accounting purposes.

Income Taxes

We recognize income taxes in accordance with Section 29 Income tax of UK GAAP.

 

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Income tax expense (benefit) consists of the aggregate amount of current and deferred tax recognized in the reporting period. Current tax is recognized on taxable profits for the current and past periods. We provide for potential current tax liabilities that may arise on the basis of the amounts expected to be paid to the tax authorities, and use the tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date.

Deferred tax is recognized in respect of all timing differences at the reporting date. Unrelieved tax losses and other deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits. Deferred tax is measured using tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date that are expected to apply at the reversal of the timing difference.

Tax laws are complex and subject to different interpretations by the taxpayer and respective governmental taxing authorities. Significant judgment is required in determining tax expense and in evaluating tax positions, including evaluating uncertainties under UK GAAP. We review our tax positions quarterly and adjust our tax balances as new information becomes available.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Our primary exposure to market risk is related to our role as an investment adviser to our investment solutions and the sensitivity to movements in the market value of their investments, including the effect on management and advisory fees, performance fees and investment gains or losses. Even though the effects of COVID-19 on the financial markets has largely subsided and most countries have reduced or eliminated COVID-19-related restrictions, an increase in cases or the introduction of novel variants may continue to pose risks to financial markets.

In the normal course of business, we are exposed to a broad range of risks inherent in the financial markets in which we participate, including market risk, interest rate risk, credit risk and foreign exchange rate risk. Potentially negative effects of these risks may be mitigated to a certain extent by those aspects of our investment approach, investment strategies, fundraising practices or other business activities that are designed to benefit, either in relative or absolute terms, from periods of economic weakness, tighter credit or financial market dislocations.

Market Risk

The market price of investments may significantly fluctuate during the period of investment, which leads to changes in management and advisory fees (since they are calculated as a percentage of AUM/AUA). Investments may decline in value due to factors affecting securities markets generally or particular industries represented in the securities markets. The value of an investment may decline due to general market conditions, which are not specifically related to such investment, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor sentiment generally. It may also decline due to factors that affect a particular industry or industries, such as labor shortages or increased production costs and competitive conditions within an industry. We believe the combination of high- quality proprietary pipeline and a consistent, rigorous approach to managing investments across our strategies has been, and we believe will continue to be, a major driver of our strong risk-adjusted returns and the stability and predictability of our income.

 

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Interest Rate Risk

Alvarium has interest-bearing assets and interest-bearing liabilities. Interest-bearing assets include cash and loan balances, all of which earn interest at fixed rates. As of December 31, 2022, Alvarium had a bank loan to fund expansion. Alvarium has a policy of agreeing medium to long-term revolving facilities with its bank in order to provide flexibility. The interest on this facility currently tracks the Sterling Overnight Index Average (“SONIA”), whereby the terms on debt drawn are 4.75% + SONIA. This bank loan was repaid in January 2023.

Credit Risk

We are party to agreements providing for various financial services and transactions that contain an element of risk in the event that the counterparties are unable to meet the terms of such agreements. In such agreements, we depend on the respective counterparty to make payment or otherwise perform. We generally endeavor to minimize our risk of exposure by limiting the counterparties with which we enter into financial transactions to reputable financial institutions. In other circumstances, availability of financing from financial institutions may be uncertain due to market events, and we may not be able to access these financing markets.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

Although Alvarium receives a majority of its revenue in British pounds, which is its functional and reporting currency, Alvarium is exposed to foreign currency exchange risk, primarily with respect to the U.S. dollar, Swiss franc and the Hong Kong dollar. Alvarium does not believe the impact of a 10% increase or decrease in the exchange rate for British pounds and any of such currencies would have a significant material impact on its revenue. Alvarium does not currently hedge its foreign exchange exposure.

Liquidity Risk

Alvarium actively maintains a capital structure that involves the use of various debt facilities. This capital structure is designed to ensure that Alvarium has sufficient available funds for operations and planned expansions. Additionally, Alvarium ensures that its leverage is appropriate such that it has sufficient capital to repay any outstanding amounts on credit instruments when they become due.

Recent Developments

In July 2022, a subsidiary of Alvarium, LXi REIT Advisors Limited, acquired the rights to manage Secure Income REIT plc, by purchasing the existing shares of Prestbury Investments Partners Limited, for £40 million (this was connected to a wider transaction in which Secure Income REIT plc was itself acquired by LXi REIT plc, and LXi REIT Advisors Limited advises the combined entity). The acquisition was financed via a loan from Alvarium shareholders. This acquisition has been treated as an asset acquisition for accounting and reporting purposes.

 

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