PIWORLD Investor Podcasts

Nick Bolton, CEO, outlines Oxford Metrics strategic growth ambitions for the next five years 00:20 introduction and business highlights 03:34 Next step growth 04:11 Smart sensing 16:11 Change accelerated 17:40 Opportunity 28:09 M&A 31.45 Outlook Ever since 1984, Oxford Metrics (LSE: OMG) has been enabling the interface between the real world and its virtual twin. It was in that year we introduced our first motion capture system and we have been providing a bridge between the physical and digital world ever since. We started our journey in healthcare, expanded into entertainment, winning an OSCAR® and an Emmy®, then we moved into defence and engineering. We have a track record of creating value by incubating, growing and then augmenting through acquisition, unique technology businesses. Our smart sensing software enables over 10,000 customers in over 70 countries, to sense, analyse and apply all sorts of data, including all 10 of the world’s top 10 games companies and all of the top 20 universities worldwide. We even have around half the UK street lighting assets managed using our software. Our group is headquartered in Oxford with offices in Leamington Spa, Gloucester, California, Colorado and New Zealand and since 2001, has been a quoted company listed on AIM, a market operated by the London Stock Exchange.

Ian Whittaker, Media and Tech analyst, gives his views of the main themes in the sectors today, and where he sees investing opportunities including WPP, ITV and other broadcasters, online classified and grocery delivery. We discuss the effect of Apple’s privacy policy for themselves and the sector; Facebook’s rebrand and its investment case; how paid for subscription services affects linear TV & cinema and finally we discuss Pearson. 00:36 Ian’s background 01:47 Main themes in media & tech 04:10 The effect of Apple’s #APPL privacy policy 08:30 Facebook’s #FB new branding to Meta Platform Inc 12:18 Is now the time to invest in Facebook/Meta #FB? 13:44 Why were Tremor #TRMR and Trade Desk #TTD unaffected by Apple’s privacy changes? 16:01 What media and tech stocks look interesting now? #WPP & #ITV 21:22 Will traditional linear TV be affected by subscription video on demand, eg. Netflix #NFLX, Disney #DIS? 25:25 Pearson #PSON About Ian Whittaker Current City AM Analyst of the Year and twice winner of the award, Ian is founder of Liberty Sky Advisors, a boutique advisory and consultancy business focused on the Media and Tech spaces, as well as a co-founder of Bearstone Advisors, which focuses on European M&A in Media and Tech. Ian has over 20 years' experience working in the City where he was recognised for his industry knowledge across all parts of Media, Digital and Marcoms. With a proven track record of being ahead of the curve in understanding industry dynamics and the implications for companies, he is a regular columnist for Campaign, City AM and VideoWeek and has made numerous media appearances including Bloomberg, Sky News, CNBC and Radio 4. He is a regular speaker at major industry events and conferences. His subscription service The Bigger Picture focused on explaining the Media and Tech sectors from a wider perspective, can be found at www.ianwhittakermedia.com

Tracsis CEO Chris Barnes and CFO Andrew Kelly present the Group’s results for the full year ending 31st July 2021. Revenue growth of 12.7% in Rail Technology & Services Division. Adjusted EBITDA +23.8%, cash £25.4m. For the outlook, there will be a rebound in activity levels for Events and Traffic Data. The William-Shapps plan for rail will be a tailwind. The acquisitions of Icon Group and Flash Forward Consulting have strengthened the group, further M&A opportunities are sought. The first quarter is in line with expectations. Chris Barnes, CEO 00:18 Introduction 00:54 What Tracsis does 02:34 Overview of the year Andrew Kelly, CFO 03:52 Financial highlights 05:22 Revenues by division 07:05 Income Statement 08:00 Revenue bridge 08:37 Divisional performance 09:39 Cash flow Chris Barnes, CEO 11:52 Growth strategy 12:52 Williams-Shapps review 16:55 Operational performance software 17:53 Remote condition monitoring 19:07 RailHub 20:37 Smart ticketing 21:55 Addressable market 23:12 Data Analytics and GIS 24:00 Icon Group acquisition Andrew Kelly, CFO 24:57 ESG Chris Barnes, CEO 28:34 Rail technology outlook 29:42 Data analytics & Events outlook 32:00 Conclusion 33:10 Q&A Chris Barnes, CEO 44:21 Closing remarks Tracsis plc is a holding company. The Company is engaged in the business of software development and consultancy for the rail industry. Its segments include Rail Technology and Services, and Traffic & Data Services. The Rail Technology and Services segment includes its Software, Consultancy and Remote Condition Monitoring Technology, and also includes Ontrac Limited and Ontrac Technology Limited (together being Ontrac). The Traffic & Data Services segment includes data capture, analysis and interpretation of traffic and pedestrian data to aid with the planning, investment and ultimate operations of a transport environment and it also includes SEP Limited (SEP). It provides software products, consultancy services and delivers customized projects to solve a range of problems within the transport and traffic sector. It specializes in solving a range of data capture, reporting and resource optimization problems along with the provision of a range of associated professional services.

DOTD CEO, Milan Patel and CFO Paraag Amin give an overview of results for the full year ended 30th June 2021. Milan Patel, CFO 00:32 Overview of the year 03:09 Key operational achievements Paraag Amin, CFO 06:31 Financial highlights 08:05 What’s the focus for 2022? Milan Patel, CFO 08:52 Outlook dotdigital Group Plc is a United Kingdom-based company, which is engaged in providing software as a service (SaaS) and managed services to digital marketing professionals. The Company offers dotmailer, which provides e-mail and multi-channel marketing automation platform with various tools that enable marketers to create, manage, execute and evaluate various campaigns. In addition to its automation technologies, the Company also provides multi-channel marketing consultancy and services for businesses seeking to manage customer acquisition, conversion and retention. The Company also has pre-built integrations with e-commerce platforms and customer relationship management (CRM) products, such as Magento and Salesforce. dotmailer helps in using contact data to design, test and send automated campaigns. The Company's subsidiaries include dotmailer Limited, dotsearch Europe Limited and dotmailer Inc. Through its subsidiaries, it is engaged in providing Web- and e-mail-based marketing.

Jeremy gives us his views on the ‘hypernormal’ economic world we are living in today; taken from the Adam Curtis documentary, ‘HyperNormalisation’. (https://youtu.be/AUiqaFIONPQ). Jeremy speaks like an economic historian, drawing from different eras of different economic policies. We discuss QE and monetary policy, which he feels has neutered the banking industry. With inflation, he draws analogies with the 40s and 50s rather than the 70s. Jeremy gives his view where he’s investing his own money, accepting investors are being asked to take more risk to see a return on their savings. He favours equities, especially compounders with good free cash flow. Google is the largest position in his portfolio. However, he believes all portfolios deserve some real asset exposure, he holds single Scotch Malt Whiskey and bitcoin! We discuss today’s innovators, where he cites of course Google, but at the smaller end, Aquis Exchange #AQX. We close on his views of 'value' versus 'growth' investing. Bubbling with brilliance, educational and entertaining. 00:51 Jeremy’s background 05:24 QE & monetary policy 13:30 Inflation 20:15 Where should one invest today? 24:43 What are your stock selection criteria? 28:30 Where are you seeing innovation in companies and sectors today? 32:47 Process innovation: Aquis Exchange #AQX 35:03 The role of the bank or broker’s effect on the cost of capital for a company and their market value 40.25 Owner managed businesses 43:57 Today, are you a value or growth investor? 52:15 About Jeremy’s podcast: In the company of Mavericks 55:09 Where to find Jeremy Jeremy on Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-mckeown-33b962a/ Jeremy's websites: www.hypernormaltimes.com www.inthecompanyofmavericks.com Dowgate wealth: https://dowgatewealth.co.uk/our-team/jeremy-mckeown/ About Jeremy: Jeremy has worked in the UK equity market for four decades, he has met and interacted with all types of investors. He has met countless companies and read widely on different investment topics. He has invested in a variety of companies and implemented differing strategies, sometimes successfully, other times disastrously. He is now looking to use his experience, knowledge and world view to make better decisions about his own investments. He would also like to help other investors and companies to make better decisions about the world we inhabit, to learn and disseminate new ideas, avoid unnecessary risk and hopefully to help keep a positive perspective on what at times appears to be a chaotic and dysfunctional place.

TED’s CEO, Rachel Osborne and CFO, David Wolffe give an overview of the interim results for the 28 weeks ended 14th August 2021. Rachel Osborne, CEO 00:39 Overview David Wolffe, CFO 03:07 Financial highlights 06:15 Current trading and outlook Rachel Osborne, CEO 08:15 Strategic progress 10:16 ESG 11:12 Summary Ted Baker Plc is a United Kingdom-based global lifestyle company. The Company offers a range of collections, including menswear, womenswear, global, phormal, endurance, accessories, audio, bedding, childrenswear, crockery, eyewear, footwear, fragrance and skinwear, gifting and stationery, jewellery, lingerie and sleepwear, luggage, neckwear, rugs, suiting, technical accessories, tiles and watches. The Company operates through three segments: retail, wholesale and licensing. It operates stores and concessions across the United Kingdom, Europe, North America and Asia and an e-commerce business based in the United Kingdom, primarily serving the United Kingdom and Europe, with separate the United States and Canadian sites dedicated to North America, and a separate site serving Australia. The Company's wholesale business in the United Kingdom serves countries across the world, particularly in the United Kingdom and Europe. The Company operates both territorial and product licenses.

Tracsis CEO, Chris Barnes and CFO, Andy Kelly discuss full year results for the year ended 31st July 2021. Chris Barnes, CEO 00:26 Highlights of the year Andrew Kelly, CFO 01:26 Financial overview including a breakdown by division Chris Barnes, CEO 05:58 Growth strategy Andrew Kelly, CFO 07:29 Acquisition of Icon Group Chris Barnes, CEO 08:25 Outlook Tracsis plc is a holding company. The Company is engaged in the business of software development and consultancy for the rail industry. Its segments include Rail Technology and Services, and Traffic & Data Services. The Rail Technology and Services segment includes its Software, Consultancy and Remote Condition Monitoring Technology, and also includes Ontrac Limited and Ontrac Technology Limited (together being Ontrac). The Traffic & Data Services segment includes data capture, analysis and interpretation of traffic and pedestrian data to aid with the planning, investment and ultimate operations of a transport environment and it also includes SEP Limited (SEP). It provides software products, consultancy services and delivers customized projects to solve a range of problems within the transport and traffic sector. It specializes in solving a range of data capture, reporting and resource optimization problems along with the provision of a range of associated professional services.

David gives a stream of consciousness, with his views on economic growth, interest rates, the Governor of the Bank of England, taxes, Government policy, and the relationship between the Bank of England and the Treasury. With COP26 being held earlier this week, he believes the Government have to set unachievable goals to make change happen. Finally he shares where he’ll be investing his money with this macro backdrop. He likes property and equities, especially tech, healthcare and biotech. He thinks Japan is interesting, but will avoid gold, commodities and bitcoin; he likes to sleep easily at night! 00:18 Introduction 01:14 Are OBR economic growth forecasts realistic? 04:38 Inflation and interest rates 12:45 Energy costs and green energy 16:23 Inflation 19:44 Tapering 20:39 Bond yield curve 21:28 Inflating away debt 25:53 Taxation 31:42 Where are investors best to invest their money for their future security both asset classes and sectors About David Buik David Buik worked in the City throughout his career, mainly for companies involved in money broking – EXCO, Prebon Yamane and BGC Partners and subsequently spreadbetting including City Index and Cantor Index. David was awarded an MBE in 2016 for his services to Financial Services. He often appears as a pundit on BBC and many other international TV and radio news channels. In 2020 he became a consultant to Aquis Exchange* (AQX). *About Aquis Exchange (AQX) Aquis Exchange PLC, formerly Aquis Exchange Limited, is a United kingdom-based company that operates as a pan-European cash equities trading exchange. The Company’s lit order book allows institutional traders to trade the stocks from 14 European countries. Its Market at Close order type allows members to enter orders on Aquis Exchange at the closing price of the market-of-listing end-of-day auction. It offers trading in a range of European financial instruments, including the constituents of the European indices from various markets. Its software and technology division, Aquis Technologies, develops trade surveillance and matching engine software for banks, investment firms and exchanges. Aquis Market Surveillance is a market surveillance platform for exchanges, multilateral trading facility, brokers and other trading firms. The features of its AMS include case management, market abuse indicators, management information system, order book replay and intraday alert parameter control.

This is the sixth Stockopedia/PIWORLD StockSlam hosted by Damian Cannon. Of the 50 holdings pitched to date, they are collectively up 11.2%. September's picks haven't done much, in line with the choppy market. Since pitching, Tekcapital (TEK) is up 211%! Renold (RNO) +79%, and Cake Box (CBOX) +58%. The dogs were Micro Focus (MCRO), Novacyt (NCYT), and Caledonia Mining (CMCL). (Damian is still positive about CMCL!). The format, each ‘slammer’ has 3 minutes to ‘slam’ their stock followed by 3 minutes of audience questions. We have to award the most innovative 'slam' to Leo Investor who took the StockSlam to a new level of ingenuity! We are in no doubt what Thruvision (THRU) does! These are just ideas, remember the presenter probably is talking their own book. Please do your own research! If you’d like to slam at a future StockSlam, please contact me via the PIWORLD contact page. These events are dependent on the 'Slammers'. 00:20 Introduction by Damian Cannon 03:41 Driver Group (DRV) – Damian Cannon 10:24 Crystal Amber (CRS) – Dee O’Hare 17:08 S&U (SUS) - Lewis Robinson 23:30 UP Global Sourcing (UPGS) – Mark Bentley 30:21 RBG Holdings (RBGP) – Jack Brumby 37:18 Pebble Beach Systems (PEB) – James Nelson 44:13 Thruvision (THRU) – Leo Investor 52:46 MISSION (TMG) – David Thornton 01:00:00 Marshall Motor Holdings (MMH) - D’Arcy Andrews 01:06:35 Damian Cannon closing remarks Thank you to all the 'slammers', it doesn't happen without you! The next Stockopedia/PIWORLD StockSlam is Wednesday 9th February, 6pm, please register via the events page.

A fascinating interview with Simon Laffin on what investors need to know about decisions made in the boardroom. Including, the most common problems facing a board. Simon's personal insight of his most uncomfortable experiences. How to spot fraud. LTIPs. The key financial metrics the Board should focus on. What to look for in acquisitions or bids. Forthright views from 30 years on different boards, all discussed in his new book Behind Closed Doors. Nuggets for investors to digest to be more aware of in their research. 00:18 Introduction 00:57 Simon’s background and what inspired the book 01:57 Why this is of interest to investors 02:53 What are the most common problems in the boardroom? 05:39 Simon's most uncomfortable board experience? 12:07 The most important financial metrics for the board to be aware of? 20:30 Do Board Directors and The City have a good moral compass? 22:40 LTIPS and remuneration 29:06 Acquisitions 40:36 How can we spot a bad board? 45:23 The book: Behind Closed Doors: The Boardroom, how to get in, get on and make a difference; and where to find Simon. Amazon links to the books mentioned: Behind Closed Doors - Simon Laffin The Signs were there - Tim Steer Accounting for Growth - Terry Smith About Simon Simon Laffin is an experienced chairman and non-executive director. He has served on both public and private boards, as well as having worked in private equity and been a FTSE-100 CFO. He is currently a non-executive director at Dentsu Group Inc (a Japanese-based global media company) and Watkin Jones plc (a listed UK property company). Previously, he has chaired Assura plc, Flybe Group plc and Hozelock Group, and served as a non-executive on Quintain Estates & Development plc, Aegis Group plc, Mitchells & Butlers plc, and Northern Rock plc (as part of the rescue team). His early career stretched from being a milkman, working in a post-room, to being a store manager and CFO at Safeway plc. Simon is passionate about making boards work better, for directors to learn from their own and others’ mistakes, for greater diversity at all layers of management, but especially in the boardroom, and for regulators to participate in helping boards make better decisions (instead of taking pot shots from the sidelines). Contact Simon through his website: http://www.simonlaffin.com/